A lack of space is limiting the growth of Dundee’s creative sector.
Let's change that.
We are developing a network of creative spaces which creates new opportunities for the creative sector in Dundee to thrive.
Our goal is to secure long term space driven by the needs of the creative community which facilitates collaboration, makes the sector visible and valued and demonstrates its potential.
Hapworks_00 is a pilot creative coworking and event space occupying and animating a vacant unit at 7 Castle Street in Dundee City Centre.
Working in partnership with Dundee City Council, the first pilot phase ran from 22 February to 2 May 2024 testing creative coworking and event hire. As we continue to look for long term space, we are pleased to continue to occupy 7 Castle Street and offer a venue for the creative community.
In this next phase we are excited to test other aspects of our long term visions with a focus on events and programme, collaborating with others to animate the space in new ways.
Weekly coworking will still be available once a week, commencing on Wednesday 4 September until 4 December. Find out more and purchase your day passes below!
Weekly Coworking
Wednesdays, 9am - 5pm
4 September - 4 December
Join us for weekly coworking sessions to mix up your week, make new connections and work alongside others.
Passes are redeemed on arrival. Each pass allows coworking access for one day but you are welcome to drop-in and out as you please.
We recommend purchasing your day pass ahead of your visit but QR codes are also available in the space to purchase on arrival.
Day Passes
Purchase a day pass ahead of your visit.
Each day pass provides:
- Access to coworking space for the day.
- Refreshments
- Wifi access.
Please read the coworking agreement before purchasing. Purchase of a pass indicates you agree with these terms and conditions.
Select a Pass
Pay What You Can
Coworking Day Passes are available on a Pay What You Can basis. Passes cost £5 standard, with a reduced £2.50 pass to increase accessibility and a £10 pass for those in a position to further support the project.
Access
Hapworks_00 is located at 7 Castle Street, Dundee, DD1 3AA. It has step free access from the street and a double door entrance which is not automatic. The interior space is all on one level, open plan and there is an accessible toilet.
The space can be reached by public transport; a 2 minute walk from the nearest bus stop and a 7 minute walk from Dundee Train Station. Space for bikes is available on Castle Street, and several car parks are close by. A limited number of short term parking spaces are available on Castle Street.
If you would like more information or have access needs you would like us to know about ahead of your visit, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Want to use the space?
Event space hire
The space is available to hire for events,workshops and short pop-ups. Drop us an email to discuss availability and hire costs. We know there are limited spaces for individuals to make things happen in the city. Therefore reduced rates are available for freelancers, self employed creatives, students and informal groups.
Events
// Friday 6 Dec, 5-9pm
More information coming soon!
// Thu 12 Dec, 7-10pm
Why are we
doing this?
The need
Creative practitioners and businesses need access to long term space to establish, sustain and grow their practice or business in Dundee.
Unless stated otherwise, the following data is the result of a survey run by Hapworks between 31st October and 10th December 2023. It was completed by 106 respondents who identified as a creative practitioner, business or organisation.
96%
of respondents said they have previously struggled to find the space they needed for their creative practice, business or projects.
59%
said they have previously considered leaving Dundee due to a lack of creative spaces and 50% cited having to leave Dundee as a potential outcome if they were unable to access adequate creative space.
62%
of respondents said their current space was not fit for purpose and 17% stated they currently had nowhere to do their creative work.
The opportunity
86%
of respondents said they need an alternative space to work in.
17%
of Dundee’s city centre units are vacant.
Higher than the Scottish average of 15.2%.
62%
of UK adults agree that cultural experiences on the high street give them a sense of pride about their local area and 50% would like to see more.
The scale
“Scotland’s creative industries employeed 90,000 people in 2019 contributing £4.2 billion to the economy that year.”
Over 500 students graduate each year from creative industries courses at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Abertay University and Dundee & Angus College.
The potential
73%
of survey respondents said access to a suitable creative space could allow them to dedicate more time to their creative work, 63% said it could allow new collaborations and 54% said it could allow them to stay in Dundee.
“Jobs in the creative industries are growing at 4 times the rate of the UK average.”
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES FEDERATION
“For every £1 of GVA generated by the arts and culture industry, an additional £1.14 of GVA is supported in the wider UK economy and for every 1 job in the arts and culture industry, an additional 1.65 jobs are supported in the wider UK economy.”
Other ways
to get involved
Tell us what you need
Creative practitioners & businesses
We actively want to involve creative communities and existing spaces in the development of this vision. Working together we have a more impactful voice and are better able to share knowledge, experiences, resources and networks.
If you are a creative practitioner, organisation or business, help us advocate for more creative spaces and inform our future work by telling us what creative space you need through events and workshops or get in touch.
Advisers
Support us with skills
We are looking for people or organisations that can support us as part of an advisory group with expertise in:
- Fundraising
- Property acquisition
- Planning
- Law
If you can offer your skills please get in touch.
Landlords, funders & investors
Work with us
Financial investment and property is required to develop and realise our vision. Do you want to:
- Help create new economic opportunities for the creative sector?
- Demonstrate new and innovative models for vacant spaces?
- Invest in the future of Dundee?
We would love to work with you, please get in touch.
Hapworks aims to create welcoming and sociable creative spaces which create the conditions for new connections to be made and as a result new collaborations and new work.
hap - chance, luck and fortune.
works - references Dundee’s industrial heritage, physical spaces for process and production.
The Haparanda - “The Hap” opened in 1957 and was located on Arbroath Rd, Dundee. A confectionary shop and cafe by day, transforming into a trendy, happening hang out in the evenings with music and performances.
Hapworks has been enabled by Creative Dundee with support from Creative Scotland’s Recovery Fund for Cultural Organisations and Dundee City Council’s Vacant to Vibrant initiative.
© Hapworks 2024
Identity & Website by Agency of None