FOCAL POINT
After much pondering, questioning and dreaming about our most grandiose idea of this past year. We have made it happen!
Focal Studios has successfully secured a 10-year lease agreement with Rockpoint Leisure, marking a significant milestone in its expansion efforts. This strategic move involves the acquisition of a three-storey building situated at Victoria Road, New Brighton, Wirral, which will serve as the cornerstone for our strategic plans.
The Creative Technology Hub will be called ‘Focal Point’. It plays on New Brighton’s original name of Rock Point, whilst also becoming a namesake and reference for the community in the future as it evolves into a thriving hub.
Vision
To establish a dynamic creative technology hub that drives economic growth in New Brighton through the provision of adaptable workspaces, cutting-edge facilities, and opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking.
Mission
To foster economic redevelopment, social mobility, and inclusive growth by creating a vibrant creative tech hub that attracts and retains skilled professionals and emerging creatives, facilitating collaboration and innovation within the community.
New Sights. New Brighton.
The primary objective of this initiative is to establish a vibrant community of innovators working with creative technologies at the heart of New Brighton.
Focal Point answers the Wirral and New Brighton’s need for collaborative co-working space by meeting the demand for the expanding creative sector. It will empower the community and its members by fostering a dynamic ecosystem that promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing, and resource accessibility. This will act as a fundamental underpinning for many innovators, SMEs and emerging creative entrepreneurs across Wirral, Liverpool and the wider Liverpool City Region (LCR).
Focal Point will welcome its users to fully utilise its attractive and scalable workspaces. Designed across an expansive three-floor layout, we will encourage the use of in-house, industry-standard and emerging technology; such as extended reality (XR, AR, VR), video production, computing, projection mapping and spatial computing, game design, virtual production and many more contemporary technology packages. This is in addition to facilitating traditional office workspaces to maintain a comprehensive offer to all professionals across the region.
“ We are committed to promoting diversity and harnessing untapped talent within the community. By nurturing culture through innovation and inclusion”
Objectives
Collaborative Workspace
Provide a co-working space equipped with cutting-edge technology, meeting space, and collaborative areas.
Foster a culture of knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration among individuals and businesses.
High Specification Offices
Offer premium office spaces with state-of-the-art amenities, ergonomic furniture, and customisable layouts tailored to the needs of diverse businesses.
Design a mixed-use building with an appealing and innovative aesthetic, reflecting modern work practices and the collaborative spirit of the creative tech hub.
Social Engagement
Host regular networking events, workshops, and conferences to connect professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.
Partner with local educational institutions to facilitate skill development programs.
Provide multi-use event hire space for grassroots and community organisations.
Resource Access
Offer access to industry standard specialist equipment and resources such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) development kits, video cameras and virtual production tools, audio and podcast hardware, projectors, game development and immersive production software, as well as dedicated computing hardware and editing suites.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with industry leading tech companies and educational institutions that will enhance the capabilities of businesses and entrepreneurs within the hub through training, skill sharing, R&D and innovation projects.
Provide high-speed internet connectivity, dedicated IT support and an on-site networked access storage solution to facilitate efficient data management and collaboration among teams.
Sustainability
Provide an outdoor rooftop green space to contribute to the overall well-being of the membership and community.
By providing a vibrant workspace within 15 minutes of residential areas, the tech hub will promote eco-friendly commuting options, supporting the council’s carbon reduction goals.
Implementing green building practices and energy-efficient technologies will further contribute to a low-carbon footprint.
Installing solar panels and battery storage to power infrared heating systems to remove reliance on gas central heating.
Installing energy efficient plumbing and hot water taps to reduce waste.
Implementing building-wide recycling and efficient waste management systems to lower carbon footprint.
Curated for Creative Freelancers, SMEs and Start-Ups
Freelancers will find a welcoming community at Focal Point CTH, where they can collaborate, innovate, and grow. With access to state-of-the-art technological resources and dedicated spaces for digital arts, video production, and software development, freelancers will have everything they need to pursue ambitious projects, either individually or collaboratively. The hub will prioritise skill development, networking, and innovation through a variety of workshops, seminars, and knowledge-sharing sessions, fostering a culture that encourages experimentation and embraces failure as a stepping stone to success.
Hot desking costs will be affordable, ensuring accessibility for freelancers of all backgrounds and enabling greater financial freedom and flexibility. This, coupled with the benefits of the facilities and the work-life balance afforded by the bustling surroundings of Victoria Road and New Brighton, will make the hub an attractive destination for freelancers seeking both professional growth and personal fulfilment.
As more freelancers gravitate towards New Brighton, drawn by the affordability, community atmosphere, and access to top-notch facilities at Focal Point, the area will emerge as a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation. With its strategic location and commitment to supporting freelancers, the hub will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of work in the cluster, empowering individuals to thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment.