Inspired by the Baltic Triangle's long-standing reputation for creativity, two Liverpool designers have transformed a disused warehouse into a speciality coffee shop and studio. Half Space on Jamaica Street, founded by Craig Graham, 42, and Dan Reese, 38, was originally intended to house the pair's design agency, Playmaker. But after renovating the building they realised they had more space than they needed.
From Design Agency to Community Hub
Having always wanted their work to be more connected to its local impact, the pair, who met working at a Liverpool web agency and bonded over a "similar outlook", decided to open it up to the wider community. Today, Half Space hosts everything from local charity meetings to dance workshops, art classes, talks and screenings, all while serving speciality coffee and local bakes.
The space itself is kitted out with a PA system, event lighting, DJ decks, desks, a Playstation, meeting rooms and a lounge area. Working and networking from the coffee shop is also encouraged.
Playmaker Agency Continues Operations
Meanwhile, the pair's design agency Playmaker, of which past clients include Claire House Children's Hospice, Liverpool FC and the Eureka! Science + Discovery in Birkenhead, continues to operate from the building, with Craig and Dan often working from the office or coffee shop while events take place around them.
The agency's name refers to the term 'playmaker' on a football pitch referring to a player who operates between traditional positions. Half Space, which opened in November 2025, is also a play on the idea of third spaces.
Flexible Space for Community and Creativity
Craig said: "A playmaker goes in between people to try and have the most impact, which is how we operate with Playmaker. It's about spotting opportunities. If we don't have a defined position, we can create more opportunities." He added: "[Half Space] is a really flexible space. If people present us with an idea and it fits our values and who we are as a brand, we’ll try and make it work. We've very rarely said no to something."
"The overarching answer to what Half Space is, is community, creativity and culture. We want to be creative allies to our clients. The creative field can feel very exclusive. We'd like to think we're approachable in our way."
Supporting Grassroots Creativity
While Half Space has hosted high profile companies like Montirex, for Craig and Dan supporting grassroots creativity is just as important. Craig explains that commercial bookings often help subsidise community groups and smaller creative projects, with the team working on a case-by-case basis to make the space affordable. Sometimes that means charging only enough to cover staffing costs or asking organisers to meet a minimum spend at the bar rather than paying a hire fee.
Craig said: "We don't want anyone to leave because they think they can't afford it. We recognise the struggle in the [creative] industry and we try to have a collaborative back and forth." Dan added: "You have to care about what you do or you run out of steam."
Inspired by Baltic Triangle Community
The pair also credit much of Half Space's existence to the community that already existed in the Baltic Triangle, recalling the support they received from neighbouring businesses, including Hobo Kiosk, when they first opened. Craig said: "When we worked in town, the Baltic Triangle seemed like such a distant dream to be involved with. If you'd asked us 15 years ago about owning a business here, we'd have said this was the place to be. People across the country know what the Baltic Triangle is about and we're proud to find ourselves here.
"People put the work in long before us. Independent businesses created this community and it's our job now to listen, learn from them and contribute to it."
"If we can get people down here because they have an interest in say, a life drawing class or a workshop, they might then pass a tattoo studio or a marketing agency and discover something new. Liverpool is a great city for people supporting each other."
"We hope for the future what we're doing is viable. We never set out to make money [with Half Space] - we would be here [as Playmaker] anyway. This is about helping other people."
