Co-Working Diaries: Colony One, Manchester

We’re living in an era where working from home is encouraged. And at Shape, we’re lucky enough to work wherever we like, as long as the job gets done 🙌 That means, technically, I could jump on a flight to Barcelona for the day and still tick everything off my to-do list (tempting… ✈️).

Lately, I’ve been trying to get out of the house a bit more. Some people love the WFH life, others feel like they’re slowly turning into a houseplant 🌱 – I’m somewhere in the middle. So, I had an idea: why not start a co-working series, trying out different spaces around Manchester (and maybe further afield)? Here's the first stop on that journey.

First up: Colony One, Silk Street 💼

I’m about a 5-minute walk from the train station, so I hopped on the 7:07 to Manchester Victoria (£10.40 return), got in at 7:33am and had just enough time for a leisurely stroll to Colony and a stop for my essential Starbucks fix ☕ (non-negotiable). I got to Colony just before 8am and was greeted by one of our friends/clients Daniel.

The first thing I noticed? The light. So. Much. Natural. Light. If you’re into bright, airy spaces, you’ll be in your element here 🌞. There’s a good mix of seating – from solo desks to big group tables – so whether you’re going solo or co-working with friends, there’s always a spot for you 🪑✨

And the plants. Everywhere. I’m talking jungle levels of greenery 🍃 It instantly makes the space feel calm, fresh, and homely. Big fan.

There’s even a rooftop working area (!!) which I imagine is amazing in the summer. When I went, the sun was out but it was still absolutely Baltic (classic Manchester 🥶) but the fact that the WiFi reaches up there, and there are sockets and comfy seats, is a huge win.

The kitchen deserves its own section to be honest. It’s stunning.

Some highlights:

• Fridge space for your lunch

• Every syrup and milk under the sun (including oat milk 👏)

• More teas than a fancy hotel buffet

• Free biscuits (custard creams and bourbons 🍪)

• An iPad machine that makes fancy coffees if you’re feeling boujee ☕
  
  

I drink a lot of coffee – minimum five cups a day (don’t judge me 😅) – so having decent milk options is a big deal for me. Most co-working spaces only offer basic stuff, but Colony smashed it.

We sat in a booth with loads of space. I always bring my Apple mouse and keyboard, and in some places that can be a squeeze – but this was perfect. Comfy lighting, relaxed vibe, and plenty of room to spread out.

Need to jump on a call? There are private pods you can book out, so you don’t have to stress about disturbing anyone. Massive plus 👌

It also felt really safe. We popped out to Co-op for lunch and felt fine leaving our stuff there. The staff are super friendly too – genuinely up for a proper chat, always smiling, and just made the space feel relaxed and easygoing 😊

A day pass is £24 and honestly, I think that’s fair for what you get. Great location, great vibe, and all the little details are well thought out.

It’s a fab spot. If I were being picky, the only things I’d tweak are:

👉 A couple more sound-proofed working pods wouldn’t go amiss. They’re perfect for calls or deep-focus tasks, but they book up fast 📞

👉 ​​ A bit more flexibility with the day pass hours. Right now, it’s 8:30–5:30, which won’t suit everyone. I start at 8am for example, so it would be better if they offered that flexibility.