CAMBRIDGE CATALYST Issue 05

SPACE EXPLORATION

WHAT’S IT GOT? A stylish south Cambridgeshire hotel with two co-working spaces accommodate up to 40 people, plus a top-notch food and drink offering to keep you fuelled. IS IT FOR ME? A co-working space with a creative twist, The Lodge is perfect if you want a stylish space to get your work done, and love the idea of having restaurant- standard food and great coffee available. and a meeting room that can

THE LODGE, DUXFORD If generic, corporate-style office

boutique hotel. There are 17 bedrooms, plus you can drop by just to eat or enjoy drinks in the bar. Food-wise, head to the basement for Graze, a funky cafe serving lunches and brunches, or in the evening, book into Scoff, where you can find a more refined menu. All ingredients are sourced from within a 30-mile radius and you can expect simple, well presented dishes such as Gressingham duck with apple and celeriac, or salt-baked celeriac with heritage carrot. There’s ample parking, or Whittlesford Parkway railway station is just a short walk away. For freelance workers, there are two spaces to choose between: the first is a creative, collaborative area where there are tunes, a relaxed atmosphere and a weekly wind-down session on Friday afternoons, where you’re given a free bottle of beer and the chance to mingle with your fellow mobile workers. The second space is a quieter working room, which is a perfect sanctuary if you need to get your head down with no distractions. All co- workers are given their own dedicated workspace, a free tea or barista coffee and complimentary refreshments throughout the day, plus access to exclusive workshops and social events.

spaces aren’t for you, check out The Lodge, a stylish new hotel with a range of options for mobile workers and business events. “It’s a little bit of London in Duxford,” laughs Philippa Infanti, when asked to sum up the concept. “I would love it to feel like a home from home, sort of traditional with a creative twist. With the co-working space and cafe during the day, and the bar and restaurant in the evening, I want it to have a buzz around it the whole time.” Together with her husband and his business partner, Philippa took on the property in late 2018, seizing the opportunity that arose after the hotel that used to sit at the site went into administration. “It was pretty run-down,” she says. “Peach walls everywhere, avocado bathrooms – you get the picture! We managed to nab it and had the best time doing it up. It was such a blank canvas – and we could get away with slightly more daring things like dark, moody walls, mad lights, artworks – every room has its own identity.” There’s no denying they’ve done a phenomenal job, deftly blending the character and history of the building with modern touches to create a lovely

There are two spaces to choose between: a collaborative area with a relaxed atmosphere and a quieter working room”

Well behaved dogs are also welcome in the co-work space. If you need a separate space for a private get-together, there’s a meeting room that can accommodate up to 40 people (theatre-style, or 24 in boardroom configuration). This stylish room boasts all the latest conference tech, and the staff will be happy to keep you fed and watered. thelodgeduxford.com

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ISSUE 05

cambridgecatalyst.co.uk

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