‘Meanwhile Spaces’ are transforming the capital by temporarily housing SMEs and community-first start-ups.
A new report by London Green Party has revealed that almost 800 publicly owned spaces in London alone have been neglected and remain empty.
The report, led by Sian Berry, further explained that the majority of these spaces were shops, office spaces, industrial units, along with community spaces, including meeting rooms and community centres.
With most closures reportedly due to business struggles, rather than development delays, social enterprise, the Utilize Project, believe that transforming such locations into meanwhile space projects, which involve properties being utilised through temporary occupancy, could be the answer to supporting SMEs to help rebuild the community.
At current, over two-thirds of the current empty spaces have no meanwhile space use, nor do they have plans for future meanwhile prospects.
Mahmud Shahnawaz, the founder of The Utilize Project, says, “It is no surprise that the majority of London’s empty spaces are a result of business closures as the capital has the highest commercial rental rates in Europe.”
“Such high prices mean it is almost impossible for small businesses to survive, and so meanwhile space projects allow them to have a temporary home at discounted rates.”
“Empty units are filled, and SMEs can build a presence in the community, making it a win-win situation for both the business itself and the local area.”
Commercial rent has been at an all-time high since last year, with retail spaces costing as much as £2,175 per square foot annually in some areas of London.
Other major UK cities, such as Leeds and Birmingham, also saw increases in commercial rent, reaching annual prices of between £150 and £190 per square foot in 2021, a rise of 7% and 5% respectively over just 6 months.
For the Women’s Network, a community group based in Isle of Dogs which offers mental health, educational and social programmes for women, physical space was crucial to carry out their services effectively. Yet, price increases meant that this wasn’t achievable.
A spokesperson from the organisation, says, “Finding a suitable space that can accommodate our numbers, especially at an affordable rate for a small organisation like ours, has been a nightmare in London. Since being recommended to the Utilize Project, our initiatives, mainly the coffee mornings, have been a great hit with the locals.”
“It is a safe space where women and their young ones can come together, share experiences and more than anything, make it their own.”
AMAS, a social enterprise that supports children and teens with emotional stability, faced the same issue within the capital.
“As a social enterprise, we find it difficult to find venues at low cost within our community, the Isle of Dogs. Utilising a meanwhile space has supported us and still are, in facilitating the space we need in order to deliver our wellbeing programs for children and teens of our community.”
Meanwhile, spaces have also been beneficial for local creatives. Okera, a young videographer from London who goes by the name OkeraHD, needed a temporary filming space for his projects.
He explains, “I was after a space to use as a film set for my feature and short films to get the youth to expand their creativity. With the benefit of a meanwhile space, I’ve gained more exposure to younger audiences as I was able to invite them into the space and grow a social circle allowing them to grow confidence and help with their acting experience.”
It is these small yet essential organisations that are having the largest impact on local communities, according to The Utilize Project, which has helped to home over 80 SMEs in East London since 2019 and look to expand across the capital.
Featured Photo by Jonny Clow on Unsplash
