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Case Study: Growing a Creative Space into a Thriving Business Hub!

  • barnardjda
  • 2 days ago
  • 3 min read

The Still Room, Norwich


A Space For What Matters
A Space For What Matters

The Vision

When Jacqueline Silver launched The Still Room, it wasn’t just about hiring out space.

It was about creating something different.

A calm, intentional environment where people can:

  • Think clearly

  • Work meaningfully

  • Create properly

  • And connect in a way that actually counts

With 25+ years across inner London schools, international education, and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Jacqueline understands people, what drives them, what blocks them, and how to unlock real potential.

The Still Room is a natural extension of that.

Not just a venue. A purposeful space built for growth.

 

The Foundation: A Creative Studio That Delivered

By early 2026, the creative side wasn’t just ticking along, it was thriving:

  • Regular evening rehearsals and creative sessions

  • Actor development programmes gaining momentum

  • A growing community of returning creatives

  • A theatre company beginning to take shape

  • Strong engagement from committed artists

Proof of concept?  Absolutely.

A space designed for deep work, doing exactly what it was built for.

But the opportunity didn’t stop there…

 

The Opportunity: Expanding into the Business Space

What makes a great creative environment also makes a great business one.

Calm. Focused. Intentional.

So naturally, there was huge potential to introduce a daytime business offering, including:

  • Professional meeting space

  • Quiet co-working

  • Coaching & consultancy sessions

  • Small-scale networking & workshops

  • Wellbeing and therapy use

The goal wasn’t just filling the diary.

It was about building the right business community, one that aligned with the ethos.

 

The Approach: Strategic Growth with Ebb Assist

This wasn’t about changing direction.

It was about growing alongside the existing success.


Step 1: Understand the Audience

We defined exactly who this space is for:

  • SMEs and local business owners

  • Consultants, coaches & practitioners

  • Professionals needing focused working space

  • People who value meaningful networking (not awkward small talk)

  • Wellbeing and therapy professionals

The environment was already spot on, it just needed visibility in the right circles.

 

Step 2: Build a Sustainable Growth Plan

No rush. No overwhelm. Just consistent, smart action:

  • Targeted outreach across Norfolk & Suffolk

  • Clear positioning of daytime availability

  • Flexible booking options

  • Curated events to attract the right audience

Always working around the existing creative use,  protecting the core, not diluting it.

 

Step 3: Launching the Start-Up Series

One of the standout results:

The Start-Up Series,  a monthly business breakfast

Designed to:

  • Support new and scaling businesses

  • Remove the stuffy feel of traditional networking

  • Create genuine connections

  • Position The Still Room as a thinking space, not just a meeting room

And it works, because it feels like the space itself.

Calm. Welcoming. Purposeful.


The Results

With a clear plan and consistent delivery, the growth has been steady and strong:

  • Increased visibility across the Norfolk business community

  • Regular bookings for meetings, co-working and practitioners

  • Multiple income streams (creative + business)

  • Strong positioning as a dual-purpose venue

  • Growth without compromising the original vision

The best bit?

The two sides now complement each other beautifully.

 

The Impact

The Still Room now operates as a true dual-purpose space:

Creative Studio

Rehearsals, development, and emerging creative work

A Growing Business Studio

Meetings, co-working, coaching, networking, away days

All rooted in the same foundation:

A space where people can slow down, think clearly, and do meaningful work.

 

My Role (Jess @ Ebb Assist)

Through Ebb Assist, I supported with:

  • Creating a clear, realistic growth plan

  • Building local business connections

  • Launching and promoting events (including the Start-Up Series)

  • Developing consistent booking patterns

  • Keeping momentum going without overwhelming the business

Always practical. Always aligned. Always focused on what actually works.

 

Looking Ahead

With a strong dual-offer now in place, The Still Room is perfectly positioned to:

  • Grow its business community sustainably

  • Strengthen the creative programme

  • Build partnerships across arts & business sectors

  • Become one of Norfolk’s most distinctive spaces

 

What Jacqueline Says

"Jess at Ebb Assist turns ideas into results,  and unbelievably fast. She brings creativity to the business table, builds strong local relationships, and is genuinely a joy to work with."

 

Thinking About Growing Your Own Space or Business?

Got something solid already, but not sure how to expand without losing what makes it work?

That’s exactly where I come in.

Let’s build something that grows with your business, not against it.

 

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