The city's best studios for freelancers; because you can't work from the coffee shop forever...

Ah freelancing; a world of possibility and opportunity. You can be your own boss! Work flexible hours! Wear pyjamas all day err day! Unfortunately, we know all too well how “working from home” can quickly turn into a day of unscathed to-do lists and spontaneous naps faster than you can say ‘Netflix and Unfulfilled’. We freelancers need a kick up the bum as much as contracted workers do – which is where co-working space comes in.

Designed to offer the benefits of an office environment with the flexibility of self-employment, co-working has been proven to increase productivity, strengthen motivation and the reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression that can result from solo work. Here are five local co-working spaces that make great surroundings for sending those endless invoice chase-ups from...

Duke Studios

Best for: established home-workers and start-up businesses

Named one of twelve coolest co-working spaces in the world by USA Today, Duke Studios is sitting pretty as the go-to recommendation for a co-working space that won’t jeopardize your hashtag personal brand. Ideal for creatives of all kinds, Duke Studios have housed copywriters, graphic designers, bloggers and software developers to name but a few, ensuring some killer watercooler conversation.

The facilities aren’t too shabby either – think colourful scandi vibes and plenty of breakout space to hold meetings with all the broadband and Yorkshire tea you can consume. Best of all, you’re right next to the Sheaf Street cafeteria, which offers Duke Residents a tasty discount. Go forth and gram that Avo Toast to high heaven to show the world just how #bossgoals  you really are.

Co-working desk space starts at 99p with a minimum contract of 1 month. 3 Sheaf St, LS10 1HD

HEART

Best for: students and the newly self-employed

What Headingley Arts & Enterprise Centre lacks in glamour, it sure makes up for in convenience. Offering up deskspace on an hourly stipend across the month, you can commit to totally flexible timekeeping, whether that be hardcore 9-5 typing or a few meeting hours here and there.

An ex-primary school lovingly converted into something of a community hub, the HEART centre is open Monday –Saturday 8am-11pm and offers an array of cosy event nights as well as working space. Have a giggle at the monthly charity quiz night or expand your brain at Talking Heads – chaired by a professor from the University of Leeds, discussions vary from economic growth to the housing crisis. Oh, and did I mention there’s cake?…

25 flexible hours in a month start at £45. Headingley Enterprise & Arts Centre, Bennett Road, LS6 3HN

New office!
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ODI Leeds

Best for: commitment-phobes

Hip types in central Leeds will already know Munro House well. Home to the excellent Colours May Vary and an eclectic café and exhibition space, it also conceals a variety of rentable spaces upstairs amongst some of Leeds finest brands – IlikePress, FutureSound and Slam Dunk North to name but a few.

Run under the ODI Leeds banner, the light and airy co-working space puts you right in the city centre, ideal for those who find themselves gallivanting around Yorkshire for client meetings. Offering up lockable storage, various meeting catering options and business postal addresses, it’s also welcoming to both children and dogs – distract your little ones with some stationery and you can get right down to your hustle for as little as £15 per day.

Prices start at £15 per day for drop-in coworking, Longer packages available upon request. Munro House, Duke St, LS9 8AG

It turns out our meeting is in that very building I had my eye on last night!
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Futurelabs

Best for: techy types

Putting the sass into STEM? Futurelabs may be for you. A non-for-profit that focuses on helping growth for start-up companies in the tech industries, Futurelabs was instrumental in Leeds International Festival and has become known around the city as a place of great innovation.

Those looking to take their talents to the next level can benefit from an inclusive workspace of likeminded people, taking advantage of free mentoring and an events space for up to 90. Expect to meet Leeds Uni grads, PhD students and entrepreneurial young bucks with a work ethic that would make Mark Zuckerburg cry into his granola – an inspirational place indeed.

Hot Desking starts at £85+VAT per month. 1 Eastgate, Second Floor, Leeds LS2 7LY

Workspace at Leeds Dock

Best for: those ahead of the curve

Much has been made of the redevelopment of the South Bank (read all about it here http://confidentials.com/leeds/what-does-the-south-bank-development-mean-for-leeds), so it’s fitting that the team behind the Leeds Dock renovations would be plotting some serious open-working options to entice a new generation of flexi-workers. Due to open in Autumn 2017, you can expect some ‘Grand Designs’ level architecture to take best advantage of the waterside views – think modular room separations, intelligent accessibility options and a hell of a waiting list. Stay in the loop across their social media for announcements – this is set to redefine the term ‘hot desk’.

Coming Autumn 2017. Leeds Dock, The Boulevard, LS10 1PZ