Chester, North Wales & Wirral Hackspace

Discussion
1

Admin, Apologies if I’m in the wrong thread, please move me if there’s a more relevant one. Thank you, Steve

Hello,

This is my first public communication on the idea of launching a new hackspace to serve the Chester, West Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales areas.

I have identified, at sensible cost, potential premises on a serviced business centre site in Chester. I am open to making a personal financial commitment and I’m looking for partners; individuals or organisations, who are willing to invest their time and taking a stake - if that’s what they wish to do. My first and very highest priority is to identify like minded individuals who can see the benefit of a hack or maker space for this area which is currently un-served. As far as I am aware the nearest hackspaces are currently Liverpool and Manchester.

My broad thinking is to setup a space that at the least covers its costs by offering interest not limited to, or prioritised by the following key topics or words: creativity, hacking, coding, web dev, computing; Linux, Windows, Mac; raspberry pi, arduino, robotics, drones, 3D printing & modelling, energy (e.g. OpenEnergyMonitor), insulation, solar, wind, EVs, home networking, broadband improvement (e.g. WISP & fibre), home AV, video production, amateur radio & electronics, DIY repairs, tool library, training inc. Wordpress for example and so on.

I see the opportunity for a club type approach where the space is part drop-in desk or bench space, access to test equipment, an interesting lecture programme on the above and other relevant topics, mutual support of members with their projects etc.

I am a member of a long standing local amateur radio club with experience of the challenges in maintaining an interesting programme, membership and finance. In my business life I have current and broad experience of IT, analogue & digital electronics engineering, project management and operating a serviced office as both tenant and landlord.

As I say above this is my first pitch to start to garner interest and as well as reading the ‘start a space’ on this site I am sharing my ideas with others locally although not yet in a formal way.

Is anyone out there interested? If so I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,
Steve

2

Hi Steve!

Are you aware of the existing hackspace effort in Chester based up on the rows in The Funky Aardvark? They go by a few names including “The Inventors Asylum” and “AreaFiftyOne” - I’ve not visited for a year or so, but I think they’re still there.

Jonty

3

Hi Jonty, Yes, come to think of it my wife and I did have a browse around there a year or two back but ahead of having these ideas. Next time I’m in Chester I’ll pop in, if they’re there, and have a chat. Are you local to Chester - and if so interested in getting involved in some way?

Thank you for your response.

Steve

4

Hi Steve,

No but I do have family there so visit frequently - if they’re no longer around I have contacts with the community in Chester (and the details for the people who used to run it) and can put you in touch!

Jonty

5

Hi Jonty, It looks like ‘Inventors Asylum’ are operating from near Wrexham now with contact info on their website. 'The Inventors Asylum / Funky Aardvark look like they have closed in Chester. If you could share the contact info you have I would be grateful.

Thank you,
Steve