A FORMER Victorian shirt and collar factory takes on a new lease of life as Taunton's newest workspace from next week.

The Collar Factory opens on Tuesday (May 3) following a complete renovation, offering a range of flexible spaces for people looking for a different way of working.

Created by Forward Space, the premises feature a co-working area where people can work in a well-designed space, with all the facilities of a state-of-the-art office.

The members' lounge has a more relaxed café-feel for those wanting to get away from their desks.

Private studios offer an affordable and flexible alternative to the traditional office benefitting from all the facilities of the building but with a private and lockable space too.

Collar Factory, in St Augustine Street, beside the Cooper Associates County Ground, is ideally located for a stroll along the river, into the town centre and a short walk from Taunton Station.

Forward Space chief executive Gavin Eddy said: “Taunton is an exciting town with a lot of entrepreneurial spirit and it has been such a privilege to meet some fascinating businesses during the build.

"Now we can’t wait to have them join us and to see the building come alive once again as a modern workspace.”

Co-working memberships start from just £4 per hour for Pay As You Go, through to a dedicated desk space giving members 24/7 access, inclusive meeting room use and a registered business address for £200 per month.

Private studios range from four-people open spaces, some fully furnished, through to large loft-like offices for teams of 10 or more. Prices start at £600 per month and include all utilities, 1GB fibre broadband and inclusive meeting room use.

All prices exclude VAT.

You can book a free trial to use the space for a day, including all the facilities, via e-mail at collarfactory@forwardspace.co.uk with 'Free trial' in the subject line.

For further details of the Collar Factory and the membership options available, head to www.collarfactory.co.uk

Frome-based Forward Space has been in existence since 2007 and currently has co-working buildings in Frome, Bristol and Taunton, with a new site set to open in Exeter next year.