Boost for affordable workspace providers as Hackney refreshes pioneering list
A pioneering affordable workspace initiative in Hackney is being refreshed and brought up to date to create even more opportunities for workspace providers to take on new affordable space, as part of the Council’s commitment to support the borough’s small and micro businesses through the pandemic recovery.
Hackney was the first borough in London to launch an Affordable Workspace Provider List (AWPL) in 2013, helping 46 new developments create around 24,000sq m of new affordable workspace in Hackney, on top of 17,000 sqm of new affordable workspace created directly by the Council. This has the potential to support almost 3,800 jobs, with more on the way through the Council’s Garages to Workspace initiative which will create new workspaces on estates in Hackney.
The AWPL has helped workspace providers partner with developers as they design and plan new schemes, secured through the Council's affordable workspace planning rules that enable businesses and entrepreneurs access to affordable space to start-up and scale-up.
This is now being refreshed to ensure that there is an up-to-date list of workspace providers and give new providers the opportunity to join. Organisations included must also deliver community benefits, such as creating jobs for local residents, providing in-work training and development for staff, assistance for vulnerable residents entering work, paying the London Living Wage, or offering space for local groups.
Hackney Council wants to ensure a ‘fair for all’ recovery from the pandemic and this includes ensuring access to genuinely affordable workspace is available for the start-ups, micro and small businesses that are at the heart of the Hackney economy.
That’s why we’ve put in place planning rules to secure genuinely affordable workspace in new developments, alongside using the Council's own buildings to create additional affordable workspace. Connecting affordable workspace providers with developers through our Approved Workspace Providers List has proven to be a great contribution to building the foundations of a resilient and growing local economy.
