A Day at The Robinson with Louis Darbyshire

Meet Louis Darbyshire, Workspace Operations Coordinator and Building Manager at The Robinson. Here Louis shares about his daily life at The Robinson and how he is enjoying helping shape the growing business community. From supporting tenants and co-workers to welcoming visitors and overseeing operations, it’s a fast-paced and varied role.

We recently caught up with Louis to find out what a typical day looks like for him, what surprises visitors most about the building and why he's excited about its future.

What's the first thing you do when you arrive at work?

“Usually a quick chat and check in with the reception team, then I'll sit down, check my emails and focus on anything that may require my immediate attention. Only after that do I finally get my caffeine fix. Coffee, milk, no sugar please.”

You were involved in some of the latter stages of The Robinson’s refurbishment. What stood out to you most?

“Being part of the conversations around the final finishes was interesting and an honour. The level of detail throughout the building is incredible, you can see how much thought has gone into every space to make it useable, comfortable and welcoming.”

What surprises visitors most when they see The Robinson for the first time?

“Definitely the standard of finish. We've had people compare it to offices in Manchester and London. The modern, art deco style exceeds everyone’s expectations.”

What kind of businesses benefit most from The Robinson?

“Honestly, all businesses can benefit from the space. The Robinson is home to both established and growing companies, and we are due to welcome new tenants relocating their business within Blackpool in the coming months. The co-working space is used by remote workers and freelancers covering a range of roles, so it really is for everyone.” 

What makes The Robinson so popular?

“The Robinson holds everything for businesses, whether it’s an office space, a meeting room, co-working facilities or business support services, everything is all under one roof. One of the things people really value is the flexibility. Some businesses use our meeting rooms for half-day or full-day sessions, while others simply need a professional town centre space for an hour or two. We're here to support both. We've also got breakout spaces, kitchen facilities, bike storage, showers, printing and scanning services and a reception team that's always on hand to help.”

What's the best part of your job at The Robinson?

“Meeting different people, working to tight deadlines and making sure people have a positive experience from start to finish.

And the free biscuits. The free biscuits definitely help.”

What keeps you motivated?

"The pace of the role. I enjoy being busy and no two days are ever the same. Although it's always nice when you get a few spare minutes to chat with people and see the community that's developing within the building. I also get a real buzz when a new enquiry comes through, especially from businesses outside Blackpool. It's great to see people travelling here to experience The Robinson for themselves and make use of the space."

What excites you most about the future of The Robinson?

“Seeing the community continue to grow. I enjoy sharing the bigger picture with tenants and helping people understand what's happening in the building. The uptake is growing all the time and is becoming a thriving business hub full of growing businesses, sharing best practice, supporting one another and creating real connections.”

How would you describe The Robinson?

“It's a state-of-the-art business centre, full of fantastic character and has a brilliant heritage story. I genuinely think The Robinson is becoming a focal point for business in Blackpool for years to come. However, don’t ask me to go in the basement, it’s a bit spooky down there.”

Workspace at The Robinson

The Robinson has been carefully restored to provide everything modern businesses need. With 44 private offices, 6 meeting rooms, flexible co-working spaces, breakout areas, kitchen facilities and shower rooms.

If you think The Robinson could be the perfect space for your business, drop in for a coffee, say hello to Louis and try out our co-working space for free today*.

* Free co-working day pass available for first-time users only and subject to availability at the time of enquiry.