Why Liverpool is the Ideal Workplace For Creative Startups

With its blend of historical charm, modern facilities, and a thriving business ecosystem, Liverpool offers a unique environment for creative startups to flourish. Home to Bruntwood SciTech locations such as The Plaza, Cotton Exchange and Cotton House, the city provides exceptional workspaces situated in the heart of the commercial district, just minutes from Moorfields Station.

Liverpool’s rich industrial heritage, paired with its contemporary focus on innovation and business growth, makes it a standout location for startups. The city also boasts a vibrant arts scene, from the legendary Cavern Club to the renowned Tate Liverpool gallery, providing ample inspiration and opportunities for connection within its creative community.

The Plaza: A Landmark for Innovation

Situated at 100 Old Hall Street, The Plaza is an 18-storey icon that has become a hub for innovation-led businesses. Originally built in 1965 during Liverpool’s transformation, the building features striking modernist architecture and was once home to Littlewoods. Today, The Plaza is a state-of-the-art workspace that marries historic character with contemporary design and functionality.

The Plaza was reimagined with a £3.7 million renovation completed in 2023. The project focused on six key principles: biophilia, sustainability, wellness, art, amenities, and technology. This included the addition of living walls, bespoke lighting, audio zones, a communal lounge, and much more, setting a new standard for futuristic workspaces.

Located near Moorfields Station, Castle Street, and Liverpool ONE, The Plaza is a dynamic community space designed to help businesses thrive. It offers serviced, leased, and made-and-managed office spaces, as well as meeting rooms and event spaces. The building also houses NORD, a Scandinavian-inspired restaurant that quickly gained recognition in the Michelin Guide for its locally sourced, innovative cuisine.

For creative startups and scaleups, The Plaza is more than an office- it’s a space where collaboration and big ideas come to life, offering the perfect environment for businesses to grow.

Cotton Exchange: a Heritage Workspace for Modern Businesses

A Grade II-listed landmark, Cotton Exchange is steeped in history, originally serving as the hub of Liverpool’s global cotton trade. Built in 1905, the building retains its Neoclassical architecture and period features, including the Victorian ‘cotton dressing rooms’ in its basement.

Bruntwood SciTech has preserved Cotton Exchange’s historical essence while introducing modern amenities tailored for creative and digital businesses. With flexible workspace options- including leased, all-inclusive and made-and-managed spaces equipped with ultra-fast broadband- businesses have the infrastructure they need to thrive in today’s digital landscape.

Beyond workspaces, Cotton Exchange offers unique features like large event spaces, a private rooftop garden and greenery throughout the interiors. These elements highlight Bruntwood SciTech’s commitment to green innovation and sustainability in addition to fostering vibrant, creative communities. 

Cotton House: A Stunning Neoclassical Building

Occupying the front section of Cotton Exchange, Cotton House was home to the Liverpool Cotton Association. This side of the building boasts a stunning façade, complete with a large portico entrance and baroque corner towers, welcoming traders to gather in the grand trading hall. 

Now home to businesses such as Moreccrofts Solicitors, Bruntwood has recently refurbished the last available space in the building. This has allowed us to provide a stunning 5,000 sq ft suite, perfect for growing business that want to be located at the heart of the bustling Old Hall Street located in Liverpool Commercial District.

With access to all of the amenities within Cotton Exchange, such as the rooftop garden and ultra-fast broadband, Cotton House offers everything businesses need to grow in Liverpool. 

Why Creative Workspaces Matter for Startups and Scaleups

Creative startups and scaleups need workspaces that foster innovation, productivity, and collaboration. Liverpool’s Bruntwood SciTech locations, The Plaza, Cotton Exchange and Cotton House, offer spaces designed with these principles in mind, providing everything from flexible layouts and ultra-fast broadband to wellness-focused amenities.

Startups benefit from scalable office solutions, eliminating the disruption of relocating as they grow. Community events, networking opportunities, and a supportive professional services network reflect a dynamic community that further enhances the ecosystem, enabling businesses to connect with peers, partners, and resources.

With features like fitness studios, cycle hubs, and rooftop gardens, these workspaces support a balanced work-life environment, helping companies attract and retain top talent while stimulating creativity.

To further support Liverpool’s growing innovation ecosystem, Bruntwood SciTech has invested over £4 million into the city’s science, tech, and innovation hubs. This investment includes a series of strategic refurbishments designed to foster collaboration and accelerate growth within state-of-the-art workspaces. A portion of this funding has directly supported enhancements at The Plaza, reinforcing its position as a standout destination for forward-thinking businesses.

Flexible & Versatile Office Space

Bruntwood SciTech offers flexible and versatile solutions tailored to businesses at every stage of growth. Startups can begin with serviced offices, while scaleups benefit from leased or made-and-managed options that adapt as their needs evolve.

Designed to encourage collaboration, communal areas across The Plaza, Cotton Exchange and Cotton House feature dynamic layouts that inspire creativity. Amenities like bespoke lighting, audio zones, and terraces at The Plaza or the rooftop garden at Cotton Exchange create environments where teams can work productively and recharge effectively. This design approach aligns with Bruntwood SciTech’s commitment to nurturing a thriving community- one that brings people together through shared spaces and events like the Cycle of Hope fundraiser, business showcases, and industry conferences.

A Strategic Location for Creative Startups

As the UK’s second-largest regional economy, Liverpool has become a critical driver of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ initiative, with significant investments aimed at fostering business growth and innovation. The city’s commitment to supporting digital and creative industries is evident; named by TechCityUK as the UK’s second-fastest-growing tech cluster in 2019, Liverpool recorded an impressive 119% growth in digital industries, outpacing central London’s 92% growth rate. This vibrant tech ecosystem, in addition to affordability, has made Liverpool a popular destination for creative startups, who are then supported by a well-established network of resources, industry events, and business incubators who already call the city home. 

In addition, the city is well-connected to major UK hubs like Manchester, Leeds, and London, and its port offers direct access to global markets, enabling cross-border collaboration.

As a key player in the Northern Powerhouse initiative, Liverpool is experiencing significant growth in the digital and creative industries. With lower living expenses compared to other cities like Manchester (Compared to other regional cities, the cost of living in Liverpool is approximately 10.2% lower than in Manchester and 3.5% lower than in Leeds), Liverpool provides an accessible and resource-efficient environment for startups to invest in their growth.

Bruntwood SciTech continues to champion innovation in Liverpool, recently celebrating the city’s creative energy through the Mersey Makers Market. This free event showcased a diverse range of trailblazing talent, with pop-up stalls featuring everything from solar-powered jewellery to immersive VR simulators. Designed to spark conversation and collaboration, the market highlighted the city’s thriving innovation ecosystem and Bruntwood SciTech’s role in supporting it.

Talent Pool

Liverpool’s thriving talent pool is a major advantage for creative startups. With over 30,000 graduates annually from universities like the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, and Liverpool Hope University, businesses have access to skilled professionals in key fields such as graphic design, gaming development and digital marketing. 

Facilities like Liverpool Science Park, CENTRAL TECH, the Materials Innovation Factory and the Digital Innovation Facility offer unique opportunities for startups to collaborate with academic institutions and leverage cutting-edge research. Coupled with Liverpool’s growing business ecosystem, startups can find the talent and support they need to succeed. In fact, Liverpool was named the best city for graduates in 2019, highlighting its reputation as a desirable place for young professionals to live and work, which is a boon for startups looking to attract fresh, innovative talent.

Liverpool’s broader business ecosystem further supports growth in the creative and digital sectors, with over 20,000 professionals working across 4,000 companies. This ecosystem is expected to grow by more than 10% by 2028, positioning Liverpool as a leading hub for digital and creative industries. For startups, this means a community rich in networking opportunities, peer support, and potential collaborations, essential elements for building a successful, sustainable business.

Access to Wider Bruntwood SciTech Portfolio 

Bruntwood SciTech’s portfolio also opens doors to funding opportunities, with partnerships with key bodies across the UK. Access to these enables startups or scaleups to navigate complex funding landscapes, while providing access to resources and support that specifically aid their growth stage. 

In addition to funding, our network also provides access to a range of industry events and networking opportunities. These are ideal for creative startups in particular, who will likely be keen to make connections and gain visibility in their respective fields. 

Integration into Bruntwood SciTech’s ecosystem finally means that businesses, whether Liverpool-based creative startups or situated in nearby cities, aren’t limited to their immediate surroundings. Instead, companies can leverage the resources, expertise and opportunities available to them across the entire portfolio, ensuring they can accelerate growth while successfully scaling operations. 

To Conclude

Liverpool’s combination of historical significance, modern amenities, and a thriving entrepreneurial community makes it a standout destination for creative startups. With prime locations like The Plaza, Cotton Exchange and Cotton House, Bruntwood SciTech provides flexible, innovative workspaces that support businesses at every stage of growth.

Whether it’s the city’s strong talent pool, strategic transport links, or access to the wider Bruntwood SciTech network, Liverpool offers unparalleled opportunities for startups to scale and succeed. Explore our office spaces today and find the perfect base for your creative business.