New co-working space to open in former Bristol Waterworks building

Patch is opening its latest hub in the historic Armada House

A workspace provider backed by the team behind Innocent Drinks is opening a base in Bristol in November. Patch’s new co-working hub will open at Armada House – an historic building in the old city that originally served as the offices for Bristol Waterworks Company.

Set across 13,000 sq ft just off Baldwin Street, the hub will have co-working studios, private offices, meeting rooms, large-scale event spaces and a rooftop lounge and terrace. It will also host a range of events including talks, workshops, industry gatherings and product launches, according to the company.

Patch Bristol will be the seventh site for the workspace firm, which already has hubs in Bournemouth, Gloucester, Twickenham, York, High Wycombe and Chelmsford.

Freddie Fforde, founder and chief executive of Patch, said: “Bristol has an incredible combination of entrepreneurial ambition, creativity and civic purpose.

“As our plans have developed, we’ve loved getting to know more of the founders, businesses and organisations shaping the city. We want Patch to become a home for that energy: somewhere people can build businesses, exchange ideas and start new collaborations.”

Built in 1903 as the headquarters of the Bristol Waterworks Company, Grade II-listed Armada House has been completely refurbished by Patch. The company says it has “reimagined” the property by adding “bold colour, contemporary design and beautifully crafted interiors”, while retaining original features.

“Bristol was a natural choice for Patch,” said Mr Fforde. “The city has an extraordinary concentration of creative talent, tech businesses, B Corps and climate innovators, alongside world-class universities and a thriving film and media sector with a global reputation.”

Patch’s backers include JamJar, the venture fund created by the team behind Innocent Drinks, alongside Active Partners and Matt Clifford CBE, co-founder of Entrepreneur First.

Patch will be led in Bristol by a local director and team.

Paloma Strelitz, creative director and head of product at Patch, said: “Bristol has an extraordinary crossover between entrepreneurship, creativity and culture. Some of the most interesting ideas emerge when people from different worlds connect. Patch can help join some of those dots, creating more opportunities for people and ideas to come together in the centre of Bristol.”