A brand-new co-working and community space – Gather – based in the former maternity unit at East Hamlet, has officially launched with a packed events programme and positive feedback from users.

"What a lovely addition to Ludlow," said Joanna Macleod of Goodlight Marketing. "As a freelance marketing consultant I've worked from home since moving back to the area in 2019, office space is costly and nowhere had a working space set up for my needs until now. I spent a morning at Gather and had my own desk, somewhere to plug in, a private meeting space for calls and a very relaxed atmosphere.

"My location isn't a priority, but having the option of a working space like Gather is exactly what I need. This co-work is really filling a gap in the market in Ludlow and I'm delighted they've opened such an inviting space. "

An extensive calendar of talks, workshops, exhibitions, and events has been announced, alongside the first of Gather's planned youth programmes – AFK (away from the keyboard) – for 13 to 18-year-olds.

Workshops for adults include poetry, writing, animation and illustration, while clubs will include drawing, hobbies, film and a children's book club.

Gather is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Anabelle de Gersigny and Matthew Wade, founders of the award-winning roastery Hundred House Coffee.

Moving into the former hospital has allowed them to both expand their sustainable coffee business and give back to the community with the establishment of Gather and its co-working spaces for people to rent and the curated programme of creative events, talks and workshops that will run throughout the year.

The co-working space for people who are self-employed offers spaces to work, meeting rooms, an area to do product photography and coffee area. For more details, visit morethanacowork.com

Gather will also be supporting local community initiatives, the first one being ‘Brighter Ludlow’ in association with town councillors Andy Boddington and Tracy Huffer and local schools and colleges – a community project to create inspiring art and installations for the boarded up/ empty shops in the centre of town to give it a much-needed boost.