Katy Leeson, former MD at Social Chain, and her business partner, Kate Brown, have decided to close Blank Space Content Studio, in Manchester.
Located on Portland Street, the pair opened the facility last year to offer a flexible, modern home for content creation and brand events.
The purpose-built venue featured five versatile content zones, including a TikTok Live suite and podcast studio but it will close its doors this week.
Leeson, a former MD of Social Chain who now works as a creative strategist and speaker, said: “This studio has been one of the biggest learning curves of my life, and I’m so proud of everything we built, the incredible community, the clients who believed in us, the creative work we brought to life.
“The truth is, the studio evolved into something different than we’d envisioned, more community-led, which was wonderful but pulled us away from our core purpose.
“Rather than compromise on the care, consistency and service we’re committed to, we’re choosing to channel that energy into our individual businesses instead.
“A huge thank you to Bruntwood SciTech, who have been an incredible partner over this journey.
“To everyone who supported us, whether you booked with us, spread the word, or just cheered us on, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made this worthwhile.”
Brown also took to LinkedIn to explain they’d decided to close Blank Spare Content Studios ‘after a lot of thought’.
Closing its doors: Blank Space Content Studio’s co-founders Katy Leeson and Kate Brown
The experienced brand marketer and content strategist wrote: “Blank Space began as an idea for a content studio. Very quickly, it grew into something much bigger – a community-led space filled with shoots, launches, events, conversations and connection.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we built in a short space of time. As the studio evolved, so did the role we were playing within it.
“Running a physical, community-first space became very different from what we originally set out to build – and it reached a point where continuing would have meant stretching ourselves in ways that didn’t allow the space to be led with the level of care, energy and focus it deserved.
“This decision isn’t about stepping away from community – if anything, it’s the opposite.
“I’m really excited to be back on the other side: organising, collaborating, and supporting community-led events, rather than facilitating the physical space itself. Community has always been at the heart of my work, and that isn’t changing.
“For me personally, this means returning my full focus to marketing consultancy – working closely with founders and brands on strategy, storytelling and growth – while leaving space for whatever the next venture looks like, when the time is right.
“Sometimes growth isn’t about adding more – it’s about choosing where to focus.”
Brown ended by thanking Blank Space’s partners Bruntwood SciTech, LOFT.uk and William Wood.