I first met Linda Broughton — head of NTI Leeds, part of Leeds Met University — in May 2007, at a meeting on the use of open-source software in the public sector where I planted the seed of an idea to develop a coworking community in Leeds in Northern England.

Within a few months, Linda had launched the “met:space” coworking community at Old Broadcasting House, which has now become the hub for most of the city’s web and new media community (also see my previous interview with OBH resident, James Ward).

I spoke with Linda about the development of OBH and her thoughts on coworking.

Imran: Tell us a little about the background of OBH. What were the motivations for coworking in Leeds?

Linda: It started out as an idea space for our graduates to move on to. We recognized that many of the students’ final year projects had the potential to become commercial businesses, so we wanted to develop a space that could support them in the early days.

I think our views on supporting the graduates have changed as we now recognize that our role is to create a climate where ideas flourish. That means the space needs to attract more experienced freelancers and businesses as well as graduates. I don’t think it would work if everyone was at the same level.

Imran: Do you see much collaboration between residents?

Linda: Yes, definitely. FriiSpray, from Jam Jar Productions, is a collaboration between three members who met here at OBH. Also the Cardboard Laptop Stand is a product developed by two of our members. We are also seeing quite a number of examples of where work is sourced between members. So we see our web designers working with our programmers, and our filmmakers working with our social networking experts. Startups, in particular, need access to good freelancers to help them grow. A coworking community helps to build trust between members which makes collaboration more likely.

Imran: What were your greatest challenges and surprises in bootstrapping Old Broadcasting House – and the largest operational challenges.

Linda: We were fairly empty at first. It took time to persuade people that coworking might work for them. But what’s great is that now people love it! I am constantly surprised by how much our members really love the space. Also it was a revelation to me just how vibrant the Leeds scene is, with so many groups meeting  regularly.

The largest operational challenge is long-term sustainability. We want to keep the rates at a level which does not deter people, while still covering our costs. This is likely to mean attracting more members, and we need to manage this without detracting from the experience for members. Overall, the space just about manages itself. Personally, I really don’t like rules and regulations so everything works on a trust basis. That seems to work just fine for everyone.

Imran: What’re your plans for the future?

Linda: I’d like to grow the community, with more physical space.  I’d also like to see a pipeline of startups from the University and the city using the coworking at OBH as  a stepping stone for growth.

Imran: What’re the key pieces of advice you’d give to people thinking about coworking and people thinking about establishing a coworking space.

Linda: To potential coworkers I’d say think of it as  joining a community. Be prepared to give something to that community. Make some time to get to know other members.

If you’re thinking of establishing a space, don’t expect everyone to join at once. You need some patience to get things going. Go out and find the groups of people who are your potential members and encourage them to try out coworking (offer introductory rates or trial memberships). You need some “fans” to get the community started; they will act as your champions. I would also say be quite flexible, if you can be, on the offer.

The relationship between OBH and the local university is unique, enabling a large institution to access grassroots entrepreneurs and innovators. Coworking can help achieve social goals. We’d love to hear your comments on other community-building offshoots from coworking.

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Imran: How did you first encounter coworking as a concept and what drew you to it?

James: I heard about an event for freelancers, GoingSolo, being held at OBH in Leeds. I had started working freelance just a few months earlier but from past experience working on my own I had learned the importance of getting out and making connections with other people. Working on your own every day in the spare bedroom can get pretty lonely and soul-destroying.

For me, attending this event was one of those serendipitous moments in life that lead to changes more profound and beneficial than I could have imagined. First off, it was my introduction to a network of professional peers all talking about the same challenges and issues as I recognize: managing finances, clients, confidence. The exchange of ideas was exhilarating. I came away from the day on an absolute high…and I had also discovered coworking.

NTI Leeds, who run OBH, have given over a large part of the building to coworking, a concept I hadn’t really heard of before. I had assumed that my only option for working away from home was to rent expensive office space or spend my days working on my lap in coffee shops. But here was a place where for a very small cost I could work  at a proper desk, in a professional environment, surrounded by other freelancers. And, to top it all, the coffee is good — and free!

Imran: What have been your greatest challenges and surprises in coworking?

James: There can be tensions in this kind of environment, especially where the culture and expectations of the members are evolving and changing as the space grows, the population changes and members’ businesses needs develop. It can sometimes be quite noisy in a shared space and I think that’s something that you pretty much have to just tolerate, just as you do in any shared environment. We recently started holding a semi-formal meeting once a month to give us all an opportunity to discuss with each other and the managers of the space any issues or ideas that we have. Like any community — and it really does feel like a community — we need opportunities to communicate with each other.

What really surprised me was that I hadn’t expected the extent to which working in a space like this would improve my life. I have gained so much: friends, business contacts, skills, opportunities for work, ideas and inspiration. Joining OBH has accelerated the speed at which I have come to know and be known on the local network and has enabled me to get involved in events and activities that I simply wouldn’t have known about otherwise: Twestival, Think Visibility, Business Link Enterprise Shows, to name a few.

Imran: How would you like to see coworking evolve, globally and locally?

Locally, I would like to see the coworking community here in Leeds grow and become more flexible. OBH is extremely well-equipped — 30″ Apple displays, Mac Pros, Adobe CS3, etc. — but not everybody needs these facilities. Some people just need a place to connect to the web and sit at their laptop. I can see scope for different membership options, depending on your requirements, although I wouldn’t necessarily want hugely complicated tariffs and per-hour charges. I like the simplicity of a monthly fee.

Globally, some people have talked about a “coworking visa”‘ that would allow members to use facilities in other cities when traveling.

Imran: What are the key insights and pieces of advice you’d offer to those considering coworking as a mode of work?

James:

• Be tolerant. If you need peace and quiet to concentrate, consider getting some decent noise-canceling headphones.
• Be respectful. We all have deadlines to meet. Try to be sensitive to other people’s needs.
• Be generous. The more you share, the more you will get back

Share your coworking stories in the comments.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

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• Content Farms: The Players, The Benefits, The Risks