Supporting flexible workspace
Flexible workspaces – including co-working spaces, artists’ studios and maker spaces – play an important role in the continued success of London’s economy.
These workspaces allow entrepreneurs to share facilities, specialist equipment and networking opportunities on flexible contractual terms. This flexibility incentivises entrepreneurs to start businesses, innovate and grow.
In 2016, the Institute for Public Policy Research launched a report that concluded that a third of all businesses founded in the capital between 2009 and 2011 used an incubation, accelerator, or a co-working space. Since that report was published, the number of workspaces in the capital has grown considerably. This is reflected in the London Open Workspace map which contains almost 600 flexible workspaces.
The Workspace Advisory Group
The Workspace Advisory Group was set up as an advisory body to the Deputy Mayor and the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP).
Members represent the views of workspace providers, users and developers as a sector and act as a conduit between the wider sector and the Mayor and the LEAP.
London Open Workspace Map
The London Open Workspace map is an interactive guide to the capital's incubators, coworking space, start-up workspaces, artists' studios and maker spaces.
The map marks the locations and services of almost 600 workspaces that are publicly available.
You can search for workspace by:
- location
- workspace type
- services and facilities provided
- price.
Workspace providers can also apply to have their property added to the map.
Please note that while the London Open Workspaces map is free to use, there is often a fee to use or rent the workspaces on offer. Please contact the individual workspace for more information about pricing.
Resources and reports
The COVID-19 survey report by Monday Works tells the story of how Covid-19 affected flexible workspaces, how they evolved and opportunities for the sector moving forward. The report is based on three surveys conducted between July 2021 and May 2022, plus more in-depth surveys and interviews with three workspace operators to create case studies.
You can read the full report (part A) and technical appendices, and the full survey findings and analysis (part B).
A practice guide for using Section 106 agreements and other planning tools to deliver cultural workspace.
Read more about Securing cultural infrastructure and workspace.
The report provides a meanwhile use framework for improving current and future practice and concludes with recommendations for GLA which focus on supporting a resilient meanwhile use framework.
The ‘Flexible Workspaces on our High Streets’ pamphlet provides guidance for empty high street premises ranging from large public-sector owned assets and shopping centre units to large retail space in the Central Activities Zone and small high street units.
It calls for a reimagination of the relationships between landlords, tenants, operators, and local authorities, with the purpose of reducing the risk profile of vacant units, while ensuring that high street assets create social and economic value by providing space for local business and enterprises of all sizes.
The document was commissioned by LEAP following the advice of the Mayor’s Workspace Advisory Group and produced by Architecture 00.
Commissioned by the London Economic Action Partnership, the Workspace Affordability Crisis reports highlight the impact that the recent changes to business rates have had on London’s open workspaces. They propose solutions to the current challenges, which include a pilot workspace accreditation scheme, rates relief training, and an open workspace strategy:
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