An iconic Gothic church in Bath has been sensitively transformed into a coworking space for creatives, blending historic character with contemporary design.
A striking new chapter has begun for Bath’s Trinity Church, which has been brought to life as a creative coworking space. Once the beating heart of the city’s Afro-Caribbean community, the church had been left derelict since its closure in 2011.
Now, the Victorian Gothic landmark has been thoughtfully restored and reimagined as a coworking space for creatives by Gather Round.
This Bristol-based initiative was founded by Ben Steers and Jason Smith, the duo behind creative agency Fiasco Design. After struggling to find inspiring, flexible studio space for their own team, they decided to create something better: a series of coworking spaces designed by creatives for creatives.
Gather Round was born in 2019 and now supports over 300 members across multiple sites in Bristol. With the transformation of Trinity Church, the studio brings its community-first vision to Bath for the first time. For Gather Round, Trinity is more than just a workspace; it serves as a tribute to the power of design in breathing new life into forgotten spaces.
The transformation of Trinity is a collaboration with local design and construction specialists. Westworks led the interior design, carefully balancing contemporary functionality with reverence for the building’s original details, leaving soaring timber beams, stained-glass windows, and carved stonework proudly on display.
Crafted elements by Foxon and Foxon and a custom-designed mezzanine from AJ Lowthers add layers of intimacy and flow to the vast, vaulted interiors. Heating such a cavernous space sustainably is no small feat, but Herschel’s infrared system now subtly warms the building without disrupting its architectural integrity.
The result is a coworking space that feels more like a creative sanctuary than an office. The main workspace sits on the mezzanine, offering a lofty perch among gothic arches, while private studios, meeting rooms, and breakout areas cater to varied working styles.
On the ground floor, the former altar has been repurposed as an auditorium for talks, screenings, and events. The Vestry – a laid-back social space by day – transforms into an elegant evening venue complete with a marble bar.
This isn’t the first time Trinity has brought people together. In the 1970s and ’80s, the church was a cultural hub for Bath’s Afro-Caribbean community. The Rainbow Steel Band, widely considered the UK’s oldest steel band, filled the space with sound and celebration.
That legacy resonates with Gather Round’s ethos. Since launching in 2019, co-founders Ben Steers and Jason Smith have focused on restoring spaces that once had a social purpose, reimagining them for today’s creative communities. Past projects include a converted social club and a former cigar factory in Bristol, each given new relevance without erasing their past.
“It’s not just about modernising an incredible historic building, but about preserving its soul,” says Steers. “We wanted to create a space where creativity and community can flourish.”
As the creative industries continue to decentralise, and more professionals look for flexible, inspiring alternatives to the home office, the demand for coworking spaces outside of major cities has grown. Bath, with its cultural richness and architectural beauty, is ripe for a destination that caters specifically to its creative sector.
Yet until now, options for freelancers, agencies, and small studios in the city have been limited and are often uninspiring, inflexible, or detached from any real sense of community. Ultimately, Trinity aims to flip that script.
It’s not just a beautiful workspace; it’s a statement of intent. One that shows how underused heritage buildings can be reclaimed with care and imagination, creating something that serves both the present and the past.
Toussaint Clarke from the Rainbow Steel Band says: “It means so much to see Trinity Church brought back to life… I always feared it would become flats, so I’m blown away by the transformation and the care taken in the restoration.”
In a city known for its history, Gather Round’s Trinity space proves that new stories can still be written, including ones that honour what came before while creating room for what’s next.
