With a commercial partner, Westminster City Council has supported PaddingtonWorks, which offers market-rate desk space, edit suites and shared meeting room and presentation facilities in Hermitage Street.
Local residents with start-up businesses were given the chance to compete for ten bursaries offering a rent-free three-month period in the enterprise space.
Take-up has been enthusiastic, with some of the lucky winners coming from the affordable housing units in the area. The aim is to attract smaller businesses with growth potential to complement the big corporates which are the main tenants in the Paddington Opportunity Area. The businesses and entrepreneurs are encouraged to work with local schools on career opportunities.
There are 27 co-working and office spaces, private studios for businesses of between two and 30 people, six edit suites, an 80-person auditorium with a 4K laser projector, meeting and training rooms. Ergonomic sit-stand desks are available along with environmentally friendly heating and lighting.
