A YOUNG entrepreneur is on a mission to bring a much-needed co-working space to Launceston.

Connor Riley, a local businessman, has set his sights on establishing an ‘incubator space’ to help push businesses to thrive in and around Launceston.

Despite only being 19 years old, Connor has established himself as a successful entrepreneur. At the age of 13, he made hundreds after creating a roleplaying server on a popular video game, at 15 he established a business hosting websites around the world, making enough money to establish his IT consulting firm, Northlayer.

With several successful projects under his belt, Connor now hopes to help others by creating a space where local businesses can get their start.

Speaking to the Post, he said: “In February last year I was essentially looking for space. I'm from Wadebridge personally, so I was looking further towards Newquay and Truro. It was a bit far, but then we moved here.”

Connor currently works out of an office space based above the former premises of Country Chic.

He continued: “From there I got involved with the Chamber [of Commerce]. Though I didn't need co-working anymore, one thing led to another and they brought up the idea that the previous chamber had gathered census data explaining that a co-working space or hot desking was in-demand in Launceston.”

Now, alongside the chamber, Connor is looking to kickstart the process by creating this space in a central location.

While no space has been finalised, Connor is confident that there is plenty of appetite for what he has planned.

He continued: “We're hoping to use the space to do training and workshops with the chamber as well. The goal of it is essentially for small businesses, or an individual to come in, they'll rent a desk for a couple of months, they'll take advantage of the printing facilities, they can register their address there, they can use the meeting room, talk with other business owners and then after a couple months, a year, they can then essentially use that to then go into a retail shop or space up in the industrial estate.

“It’s essentially it's an incubator.”

Connor explained the difference between a co-working space and an ‘incubator space’.

He said: “Incubator space is sort of a term I've coined. Our goal is to essentially drive Launceston's economy by providing the facilities for businesses to grow.

“The second an individual has started a small business they then need to grow. If they want to do that they'll need to get space to work out of, which should that be an office, that could start at about £500 a month. All the utilities come on top of that. They've then got to pay for mail handling, they've got to pay for a printer, they've got to find a meeting space, there's so many costs involved.

“Whereas if we can essentially offer all of this for them to come in whilst also being able to meet other business owners which you wouldn't be able to do in your own office, we can encourage and support growth.”

While still in its very early stages, there are plans to help raise funds for the project, with a Crowdfunder already being established.

Those interested in the project can find out more and donate to the cause via: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/nest