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Since 2016, Future of London’s Workspace that Works initiative has brought together cross-sector organisations through field trips, networking events, and a major report to share best practice in promoting SME workspace throughout the city. Now a well-established part of the market, shared and affordable SME workspace continues to enjoy high demand and fast growth [1][2].
As these flexible spaces play a greater role in local economic development strategies, councils are seeking – often demanding – an affordable, supportive and inclusive offer to maximise community benefit.
Authorities often seek features such as discounted or staircased rents, allocation for charitable or creative organisations, or training and support for area residents. Many councils are also striving to promote diversity among operators and their tenants; this is an issue Future of London champions across all its work.
To coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week 2018, Future of London and LB Hackney spotlighted workspace inclusion and diversity (of offer and of occupiers) at Hackney House on 14 November.
The afternoon of seminars and networking hosted more than 100 public and private landlords, developers, workspace operators and planning/policy decision-makers. In addition to identifying ways to attract a broader range of occupiers, seminars included topics such as move-on/scale-up space, the future of workspace, supporting smaller operators, design, affordability and business rates.
A summary of the event is available here.
Providing community services, space and connections is getting tougher. Historically the domain of churches and temples and technically a council responsibility, this key element of local support relies on vulnerable funding – and lots of good will. Local trusts have been delivering that support for decades, and it may be time for them to play a bigger role.
This is a guest post from Harry Knibb, Principal Consultant for Sustainable Places, WSP, as part of Future of London’s Workspace for All event. Our climate is changing, resources are finite,…
Co-working spaces, accelerators, incubators, makerspaces and artist studios are essential to London’s start-up and creative communities. Demand for shared and affordable workspace is high and the industry is enjoying fast…
Our 2017 Workspace Matching event brought together cross-sector practitioners to find out about opportunities for workspace-related regeneration.
This popular event introduces top workspace operators to landlords wanting to learn, and shares the latest in workspace policies.
On 21 February, Future of London launched our Workspace that Works report, looking at the links between SME workspace provision and regeneration, and what role local authorities can play.
This event joined LAs, landlords and operators to learn from each other and forge new partnerships for delivering workspace.
On 24 November, we visited Park Royal to learn about its existing workspace offer and how the OPDC plans to promote workspace provision throughout its extensive regeneration project.
Employment-led regeneration in Wood Green is a key priority for LB Haringey. On 15 November, we visited Wood Green to learn how this regeneration will progress throughout the town centre.
Our 9 November Workspace Research Forum with London Councils brought together experts to discuss the latest on workspace and regeneration in London, read summaries and view the presentations here.
On 27 September, we visited Hackney Wick and Fish Island to find out about how SME workspace provision is being protected through planning and regeneration.
Nearly 25% of City of London SMEs use flexible workspace. Our field trip investigated how space – and relationships – have evolved in the City, and visited some of these innovative offers.
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