Kenilworth Chamber of Trade to launch 'Pop-up Office' scheme

Sarah Kershaw, who took over the chair position for the chamber in the summer from Seánna Holland, has started plans for Kenilworth’s own version of hot desking called the ‘Pop-up Office.’

Sarah runs her own business serving as a freelance personal assistant working with clients to support their administrative needs through a company called My Extra Colleague.

The concept involves employees taking whatever desk is available instead of having a designated work space each day. Sarah said: “We call it ‘buddy benching.’”

All members of the chamber will have access to the ‘Pop-up Office’ when the scheme is completed.

She added: “It’s hopefully helping people who work from home.

“It means they can interact with other businesses.”

Planning for the scheme is still in the early stages and is expected to be launched in spring of 2020.

She added: “We’re looking at giving people company and a way of networking.”

More information on the ‘Pop-up Office’ scheme will be available at the Kenilworth Chamber of Trade Business Expo held from 2 to 6pm on Friday October 11 at the Holiday Inn.

Along with launching the ‘Pop-up Office’ initiative Sarah hopes to help the chamber reach and help different types of businesses.

Sarah added: “We want to grow the offering the chamber has for businesses.

Businesses owners can become a member of the Kenilworth Chamber of Trade for an annual fee £40. Chamber members meet on the last Thursday of each month for a time of informal networking at the Almanack pub.

She added: “I think it's an affordable way for a new business to get involved in the community.”

The Keniworth Chamber of Trade, which currently has around 70 members, is open to anyone to join. The committee members are all volunteers.

Sarah added: “We are voice of the businesses of Kenilworth. We are in it for the love of local businesses in Kenilworth.”