The burden imposed by a company’s premises can sometimes be its downfall — when the costs and time spent on setting up weigh on the bottom line.

Entrepreneur Tim Miller has come up with a new concept that is not only less burdensome, but takes collaboration to a new level.

His shared office space called “nineteen” on Queen Street is a place where small businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals can hang their hats — and the relationship goes further. For example, one tenant, Windward Supplies, provided the furniture for the project from their Herman Miller range.

“As with any office space it did need to be furnished; it also needed artwork, a phone system, computer networking, photocopying and printing equipment,” said Mr Miller, who also owns nCompass Technologies — a small Lanier photocopier distributor. “My company was able to provide the printers, copiers and I.T. services, but we still needed everything else. By approaching like-minded businesses we produced nineteen through a collaborative effort.”

Since its conception, nineteen’s membership has grown to make it into a one-stop-shop for small business and entrepreneurs — and the resulting services include everything from hot desks to art work. On the second floor of 19 Queen Street, this is all contained in 3,000 square feet of prime office space with rates ranging from hourly to monthly.

The minimum membership package provides clients with access to a common area sitting area, wireless internet, a mailing address and use of the printers. Mr Miller said: “With this package clients can begin to share what they do with other businesses at nineteen, promote their services through the nineteen website and even arrange to have an evening presentation to their customers.”

Windward Supplies, for example, benefit because now they have a working 3,000 square foot showroom in the centre of the city — and nineteen has also benefited with a beautifully furnished office space for its members.

“nineteen is an ideal starting point for small companies, entrepreneurs and businesses located both outside the city — and from overseas, looking for a touchdown location in the city,” he said.

The office services at nineteen include: Phone services, copiers, office furniture, interior construction, project management, corporate management services, toner supplies, printing services, delivery services, secretarial and transcription services, graphic design services, meeting rooms, hot desks, a board room, phone answering services, a business address and art work.

For more information, call Tim Miller at 400-1919 or visit their website at www.nineteen.bm.