FAQs

A work hub is a flexible workspace offering an ‘office when needed’ service for modern micro businesses and mobile workers, including those who work from home. It provides users with the opportunity to come together to network, share ideas and work from a professional and well equipped space.

Shared facilities typically include bookable ‘hot’ desks, formal and informal meeting spaces, high speed secure broadband and professional equipment. 

Work hubs offer a professional front for a business; businesses can meet clients at a work hub, use its registered address, and have friendly, professional staff handle their phone calls and post. It provides a flexible way of working, avoiding the isolation of working from home by becoming part of a thriving community of local businesses and professionals. 

The Council wants to develop and grow flexible workspace in the district. Becoming part of a community of local businesses and professionals, boosts entrepreneurship, collaboration and innovation. The building being in the heart of the town centre will also enhance footfall and vibrancy of the area.

The work hub will provide co-working desks, both traditional style desks, high benches and adjustable height desks, booths for private discussion as well as private studio offices and meeting rooms. A breakout space and kitchenette will be provided as well as a coffee machine. The space will have ultrafast fibre broadband and provide access to equipment such as AV/video conferencing, printer/scanner etc as well as have the ability to receive post.

The space is likely to be used by the self- employed homeworkers, employees of larger organisations who often work remotely, small local start- up businesses and people who are visiting/holidaying in the area that require reliable WiFi to work whilst in the area.  Statistics from a government survey undertaken in Sep 22 show that 1 in 5 people (22%) of the British workforce worked at least 1 day from home and 1 in 8 people (13%) work from home exclusively. The Government also reports that 70% of new businesses start from the home.  More employers are embracing hybrid working, particularly with the GWR railway line from Plymouth to London allowing people to commute and work from home.

To create separation between the building and the carpark the existing outdoor space will be extended. This will result in the loss of 4Nr public car parking spaces and the reconfiguration of this end of the carpark. The bays in front of the building will become deadends, rather than on a loop.

The carpark is rarely at capacity and is unlikely to have any significant impact on user availability.

The Council intend for the work hub to be operated and managed by an experienced operator. The Council are currently seeking expressions of interests from potential operators. Users can either have a membership which could be on a part time or full time basis or can rent a co-working desk or a private studio office space on an adhoc basis. The work hub is likely to operate 24/7.

The building was formerly used as a youth centre youth centre (1995-2018) and then as a community hub (2020-2022). The building has been empty since September 2022.

Whilst the building has not been previously marketed for community use, there has been little interest in the building for that type of use. Enquiries received have generally been for use class E. There are other community facilities in the locality (several with kitchen facilities) some of which are underutilised and have capacity to accommodate additional use. We have identified 36Nr local community venues.

The Market Centre offers a unique opportunity for investment as a work hub. Its location in the heart of the town centre with nearby amenities make it easy to access and ideally placed to encourage town centre vitality. The design and facilities being provided will make it attractive and desirable to potential users. We also intend to make it affordable. Unlike other properties we own in the town centre, as it is not a retail unit it has a lower market rental value meaning we can progress our aims for wider economic benefit without sacrificing income potential or removing a retail unit from the town centre. The feasibility study undertaken has identified a strong demand by local people.

The proposed work hub will complement other work hubs in the district such as the Nook in Cullompton, the Bookery in Crediton and the Memorial Hall in Morchard Bishop. There are other types of similar workspaces that offer some flexible workspace/drop in facilities but cater for different business needs. These include community spaces such as the Coach House Arts in Cullompton, innovation centres such as COTIE at Petroc in Tiverton and managed workspaces such as The Old Bakery in Tiverton or the White Room in Crediton.

No dedicated car parking spaces are currently intended to be provided. The building is located within the market place carpark where there are short stay spaces. For longer stay spaces other carparks in the locality will need to be used. We encourage users to access the work hub by public transport and active travel. We are providing secure cycle parking and electric bike charging points.

An online survey was undertaken and we held a drop-in event on 23 February 2024 to encourage conversation and interest about potential change of use of the site into E use.  The survey had 69 responses with an overwhelming positive response to its potential use as a work hub. The survey identified very strong demand for a work hub at this location, with 13 people potentially wanting their own office, 21 their own reserved desk and 29 to become members with 24/7 access.