Soha Housing has joined forces with Makespace Oxford to let out unused office space as part of the Meanwhile in Oxfordshire programme.
Meanwhile in Oxfordshire is unique in scale and ambition in the UK: it “revitalises” empty spaces then offers them to fledgling businesses, community and church groups at an affordable rent to help boost local economies in Oxfordshire. Soha has agreed a three-year lease with the Meanwhile in Oxfordshire project for two of its large office spaces and a standalone building called the West Wing. These spaces are no longer needed as Soha staff increasingly work in a ‘hybrid’ fashion – that is, dividing their time between the office and working from home or in the community.
Meanwhile in Oxfordshire has already received enquiries for the three Soha spaces from charities, social enterprises and other local businesses and is working in partnership with business and community networks in the town to promote their availability. It is anticipated that they will be fully occupied by June and that the range of activity represented will mean organisations have mutual support on tap.
“The principle of Meanwhile in Oxfordshire aligns absolutely with Soha’s ethos”, says Lee Hayward, pictured left, Soha’s Director of Property Services. “We are a community-based housing association and so promoting collaboration and connection within localities is our day-to-day work. Giving purpose-led organisations the springboard to succeed in the Didcot area is an extension of our approach to making positive and sustainable impact in the neighbourhoods where our residents live. Welcoming in new ‘neighbours’ at Royal Scot House will not mean we are any less able to serve our customers.”
Penny Lawrence, Strategic Director of Makespace Oxford, says: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Soha as an enlightened landlord letting a newly refurbished, formerly vacant office and community hall. We hope this will be a shining light for Didcot to demonstrate how empty buildings can be transformed into affordable workspace and community hubs which benefit the local community and the local economy.”
The Meanwhile in Oxfordshire programme was developed by Oxford City Council, with funding secured by OxLEP from the central government’s Getting Building Fund.