Entrepreneurs and innovative small businesses are playing an increasingly important role in our local economies and communities - but they are disproportionately struggling to get access to the space they need to flourish and grow, a new report has found. While the demand for affordable retail and office space is increasing, so is the number of commercial spaces lying empty, with permanent vacancy rates across the UK at an average of 5.2 per cent, peaking in the North East at 8.4 per cent.
But Access to Space, a new report from small business support platform and membership organisation Enterprise Nation and entrepreneur think tank The Entrepreneurs’ Network, found small firms are being disadvantaged by a distorted market which both favours residential development over commercial and incentivises landlords to keep properties empty. The report suggests a handful of reforms that could dramatically improve SME access to space and argues that community entrepreneurs with a proven, sustainable track record and a strong business case, should be allowed to assume ownership of dilapidated buildings within their vicinity for the good of the local community. This could see decaying local landmark buildings transformed into vibrant independent markets, street food venues, coworking spaces and pop-up shops.
Emma Jones, CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: “Access to the right kind of space is vital if entrepreneurs are to thrive in the current climate.
