Image: Peter Krocka/Shutterstock
PierConnect will be a core part of a visionary Digital Dún Laoghaire transformation plan.
Dún Laoghaire Business Improvement District (BID) has revealed the details of a new co-working space in the heart of the town.
The initiative, managed by Dún Laoghaire BID with space provided by Bank of Ireland (BOI), will create desk space for digital start-up companies above the BOI building on George’s Street.
‘Being innovative in how we repurpose existing buildings, we were able to unlock what was previously unavailable office space’
– ANTHONY QUIGLEY
Already, 10 companies have pre-registered to avail of the co-working space: Stimare, Milestone Management, WoofAdvisor, V Creative, BOC, Hudson Solicitors, Eamonn Galvin Digital Advisor, DriverFocus, 3XE Digital and Source Works.
“As part of the recently launched Digital Dún Laoghaire Action Plan for the Digital Transformation of Dún Laoghaire, a key action was to respond to the growth needs of companies located in the town. Supports such as PierConnect give start-up companies access to desk space and resources to help them scale their business ideas,” said the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD.
Harbouring digital ambition
The space above the BOI branch will be used for day-to-day work, monthly meet-ups, fireside chats with guest speakers, and mentoring support from the BOI Innovation Team.
Colin Kingston, director of Dublin at BOI, said that the new PierConnect co-working space will be a key addition to the thriving Dún Laoghaire business community.
“It’s a superb space for budding entrepreneurs and start-ups and local businesses to brainstorm, network, hold events and innovate in,” said Kingston.
“Bank of Ireland has proactively played a long-standing role in supporting the business community in Dún Laoghaire, and this new partnership will continue to strengthen our support.
“As Ireland’s largest lender, Bank of Ireland strongly supports businesses to grow and develop, and initiatives like PierConnect, along with our Dublin Workbenches in Montrose, Grand Canal and Trinity College, add to our offering to the local business community.”
JP Montgomery, CEO, Dún Laoghaire BID; Colin Kingston, director of Dublin, BOI; Anthony Quigley, chairperson, Dún Laoghaire BID; Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD; An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Cormac Devlin; and Karen Cunningham, branch manager, BOI Dún Laoghaire. Image: Rolf Stenberg
The chairperson of Dún Laoghaire BID, Antony Quigley, said the space will bring 20 new start-up companies into the town.
“As a result of the a recent surge in the number of businesses moving to the town, there is currently a shortage of office accommodation in Dún Laoghaire. Demand is, quite simply, greater than the available supply,” Quigley explained.
“Being innovative in how we repurpose existing buildings, we were able to unlock what was previously unavailable office space, providing working space for up to 20 new companies in the town.”
