Enfield Council is seeking an operator to manage the new affordable workspace on the Garages site on Fore Street
As part of the £2.2 million Good Growth Fund regeneration project, the Council has earmarked a garage site and disused laundry yard adjoining Fore Street on Joyce & Snells estate, to create 600 sq/m of new workspace for the community.
The Garage Yard Workspace Hub project is part of a series of Good Growth Fund interventions which have been positioned as a direct response to significant regeneration opportunities.
The aim is to enhance economic resilience, support the evolution of the high street in response to area change and provide more high-quality employment for Angel Edmonton’s residents.
Enfield Council Leader, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, said: “This is part of our wider efforts to regenerate the area around Fore Street and improve the economic outlook and quality of life for residents.
“The garages in question have been a haven for anti-social behaviour for a while and this scheme will transform the area, make it safer and provide a community facility which will directly benefit residents.”
Two innovative spaces will be delivered, The Living Room Library and a Garage Yard Workspace Hub that will facilitate community cohesion and stimulate enterprise, employment and skills. Targeted public realm interventions and a new school street, will send a message that we are committed to delivering good growth for everyone.
The Living Room Library will continue to offer all the current library services but will be designed with greater flexibility to allow for other services such as business and employment support, a platform for future Council engagement and a venue for local community groups to host performances, galley displays, meetings etc
Meanwhile the Workspaces will be primarily a space for local businesses to run their daily activities. There will be a café space which will be activated by the operator of the space and tenants of the units, we seek to create an environment that will support existing, new and emerging businesses.
The Council is looking for interested Workspace Operators to manage the site for a minimum of five years, providing affordable workspace for the local community, along with business support and training, and an on-site cafe.
Upon selection, the operator will input into the emerging design by Jan Kattein Architects from an operational perspective, recruit tenants and manage the space. The project is due to seek Planning Approval at the end of the month, with an anticipated start on site in December 2021, and ready for opening by May 2022.
The Workspace Operator competition will launch on the 19 July, with a deadline for applications on the 16 August.