A NEW space for community groups and businesses to work together has opened in the centre of Oxford.
Makespace Oxford aims to revive underused spaces in the city, to create areas different groups can use.
The latest building to open is in Frideswide Square, and features a cafe and restaurant, lounge, and event and studio spaces.
Known as the Community Works building, among the businesses to move in are Lula’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Cuisine, and JF – a takeaway cafe outpost of The Jam Factory, located nearby in Hollybush Row.
The Oxford Playhouse will be using rehearsal and design space, while Oxford Poetry Library, Live Illustration and Robyn Macdonald Knits complete the new set-up.
Read also: How police plan to tackle spike in violence in Blackbird Leys
Makespace Oxford co-founder Andy Edwards said: “This is a great opportunity to bring together all those that have been a part of the creation of this space and to open, which has been a phenomenal collaborative effort.
“We’re really grateful for the opportunity to give our thanks to funders and partners, but also those local residents and members of the community who helped to shape this space, as we really wanted to reflect what they want to see in their city centre and make that more accessible.
“Our aim has always been to create a space within the Community Works where people can just be, connect and share – and we are just at the beginning of that journey.
“We know there is still more we can do to make this space even more accessible to wider community groups, whilst continuing to showcase the potential of ‘meanwhile’ space and how unused space can be utilised by community-minded businesses, to whom such space would not otherwise be affordable.”
The opening event comes as further units across the county are secured by Makespace Oxford, including in Abingdon, Didcot and Chipping Norton.
Read more: Application submitted to create more units in the Covered Market
The Community Works acts as a flagship building within Oxford City Council’s Meanwhile in Oxfordshire programme, which aims to revitalise vacant shops.
Tom Bridgman, executive director for development at the city council, said: “The Community Works is another example of how we can effectively reuse underused space for positive social and economic benefits, rooted within the local area.
“What’s also great, is that we are now being contacted by other councils for advice on launching their own schemes based on the model, to aid the recovery of their own city centres and high streets.”
The Meanwhile in Oxfordshire programme is supported by the Government’s Getting Building Fund, with money secured by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).
Nigel Tipple, chief executive of OxLEP, said: “Locations like Community Works can be the cogs of our local economy and once these start to build momentum, confidence begins to grow.”
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok
Got a story for us? Send us your news and pictures here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here