A number of affordable workspaces will soon be available to let in Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester and Didcot as part of a countywide economic recovery programme.
Makespace Oxford is the lead partner on the initiative, taking charge of empty or underused spaces in urban centres to convert them into places where small organisations and businesses can test and deliver their ideas.
The organisation has inspected over 32 vacant retail units across the districts and identified up to six that they plan to launch in spring 2022.
In November, Makespace Oxford launched a community hub in Frideswide Square, Oxford, where a former Chinese restaurant had remained empty for many years.
It features Lula’s Ethiopian cafe, which has won positive reviews from customers.
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With many of the 32 units now secured, Makespace are now looking for local, purpose-led businesses and organisations to let the spaces to in an effort to support the local economies of these urban centres.
Each of the units are centrally located, with leases starting as early as Spring 2022.
As part of the ‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire’ programme, the spaces will be let below market rate, with further concessions available for charities and non-profits.
One of the upcoming spaces is this converted warehouse on Victoria Road, Bicester..
The programme is led by Oxford City Council, and is a county-wide partnership between Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the District Councils with funding from the government’s Getting Building Fund.
Launched in February 2021, it aims to break down barriers to space and give small, early-stage organisations a unique opportunity to develop, test and deliver their ideas. It also aims to breathe life back into the high number of underused spaces in Oxfordshire’s high streets and urban centres, supporting economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic.
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Penny Lawrence, strategic director at Makespace Oxford, said: “There are so many unaffordable, empty spaces in our urban centres in Oxfordshire, and yet so many local organisations and businesses who could benefit from access to them. Through Meanwhile in Oxfordshire, we’re trying to bridge this gap by facilitating access to affordable space for local businesses and community organisations to grow.
“We’ve seen great success with the programme already, securing leases on 18 spaces and over 20,000 square feet across Oxfordshire. We’ve been able to match 18 organisations with affordable spaces, supporting and creating nearly 70 jobs. We can’t wait to expand this initiative further into Bicester, Didcot and Abingdon.”
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In Didcot, offices at 99 Station Road will be used as space for a number of different creative organisations and is available from April 2022.
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