Smithfield Works has been appointed by PHP Stoke as its venue of choice for 2024, with all of its meet ups set to be hosted in the unique office space.
While PHP Stoke – a networking group for PHP developers – has used Smithfield Works since its formation in January 2023, this is the first significant investment the group has made, agreeing to host every 2024 event at the venue.
PHP Stoke founders - James Brooks, software engineer at Laravel and Andy and Rich Jones from Aware Digital - use Smithfield's communal area to fit its 65-strong (and growing) group for its quarterly meetups, utilising the facility's gigabit broadband, projection technology and kitchen facilities.
James said: "We've used Smithfield Works since we began at the start of last year and, as our group has grown quicker and bigger than anticipated, this year we were keen to lock down an official PHP Stoke venue and contract a space for our gatherings.
"Despite viewing several other venues, we found that nothing compared to Smithfield Works. The atmosphere, closeness and décor all contribute to the experience. In a room full of 60+ people it still feels like an intimate gathering of minds, with a real sense of community. It's a brilliant space to have speakers but also to allow people to mingle and network in a relaxed environment – it really does tick all of our boxes."
PHP Stoke is held once a quarter, often taking the same format of a keynote speaker followed by one or two 15-minute Lightening Talks. Topics are submitted by individuals from the PHP network and reviewed/selected by the organising committee for presentation at each event.
PHP Stoke is intended predominantly for developers, but any ‘techies' are welcome to attend. Attracting guests from across the country, even as far as Dorset, all genders, ages, ethnicities, and levels of technical capabilities are welcome.
The next event is scheduled for Thursday 11th April at 6.30pm. Tickets are required but is it free to attend.
Adele Simmons, community manager at Smithfield Works, added: "We are absolutely delighted to be PHP Stoke's official venue. The workspace was designed to be sector agnostic and flexible enough, with a wide range of options, to suit the varying needs of modern businesses – even online companies need a physical space to get together at times!
"The communal area works so well for the PHP Stoke meet ups and it is a joy to see the room full of people, learning and opportunities and we're talking to a number of delegates about our hot desk and membership options."
As well as its event space, Smithfield Works offers a range of memberships, meeting room hire and private office leases and is located in Stoke's dynamic mixed-use Smithfield district, benefitting from high-speed connections from within a Gigabit Connected City.
To learn more or book tickets for PHP Stoke's next event visit phpstoke.co.uk or to learn more about Smithfield Works visit smithfield-works.com.