Borders dad launches business inspired by lockdown struggle

Andrew Earnshaw, who lives in Lauder, launched the first Hometown Hub in Melrose in October, offering people the opportunity to rent out desk and office space for a day or longer.

Many people have spent the last few months working from home after offices across the nation were shut because of coronavirus and Mr Earnshaw, 47, says his business can help workers separate home and work life.

“I was just speaking to friends and colleagues. All these people were struggling in rooms that weren’t really appropriate for working from home,” said Mr Earnshaw, who works as an IT programme manager.

“Having that separation, that place where you go to work for eight, nine, 10 hours, then mentally you can leave that place, then you can enjoy being home.”

He added: “I don’t think people will return to offices in the same way.

“People have seen the benefits of working near their home, not necessarily in their home.

“If I was able to provide good, safe office space it would allow people to have the benefits of working from home, like looking after the kids, walking the dog and being in for parcels.”

Rooms are £20 a day, with customers getting access to a desk, chair, 24” screen, WiFi, shared colour printer and free tea and coffee for that price.

Due to current restrictions, customers can only access individual rooms, although bigger rooms will be available for co-workers in the future.

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Challenges with home-schooling children and loneliness have been cited as problems with working from home and Mr Earnshaw says Hometown Hub can help tackle these issues.

“It was hard trying to support the children with home-schooling, keeping everyone on track,” he said.

“We have three children that were camped out in their bedrooms, everyone was moving to different rooms in the house with laptops.

“When you’re not in the office [you miss] some of the face to face stuff you get from talking with people.

“What I am doing isn’t going to solve all of these problems but it gives people an opportunity to speak and network with other people.

“Our venues will hopefully become a hub for people.”

Mr Earnshaw plans to open similar venues in Lauder, Dryburgh and Galashiels in the coming months.

Asked whether he would like to see a Hometown Hub in every Borders town, Mr Earnshaw said: “The short answer is yes. I am looking for Hometown Hub to become more significant.

“We are keen to expand. We are very much looking to work with the community and village halls.”

Mr Earnshaw says he wants to use village halls for future hubs, as well as discussing contracts with private landlords to target corporate clients.

He adds that he wants the hubs to be a central part of communities, with the Melrose office agreeing a deal with the Townhouse Hotel for customers to have a discounted meal at lunchtime.

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For £25 clients get access to the office space as well as a soup and sandwich lunch package from the Townhouse.

“People just do need a break from things. I thought it would be quite nice to come have a day in our office and have a nice lunch,” he said.

“I think it has been really positive. The community in Melrose are welcoming it.

“Melrose is a town which is largely built on the tourism trade so having people reside there and spending locally is a good thing. They’ve been supportive of it.”