New workspace offers creative industries a chance to thrive

Owners of creative, cultural, and digital businesses and organisations are being offered an exciting opportunity to occupy city centre workspace, as part of a new council initiative.

Thousands of square feet of workspace at Phoenix House, in West Street, and Lyndean House, in Queens Road, is being offered to established local businesses, as part of the council’s commitment to support the continued growth of the city’s creative economy.

The new scheme will see the council working with businesses to transform vacant spaces within the two buildings into vibrant hubs of creativity and enable local arts and creative organisations to thrive.   

Real pressure

Councillor David McGregor, Cabinet Member for Economy, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, said: “Brighton & Hove’s creative sector is one of the things that makes our city so special, but we know artists, makers, designers, small manufacturers and growing creative businesses are facing real pressure when it comes to finding suitable workspace.

“We understand these pressures and that’s why we’re now directly intervening and making sure this crucial part of Brighton & Hove’s identity continues to thrive in our city.

“By promoting the available space at Phoenix House and Lyndean House to established creative organisations first, we can help businesses and creatives stay in the city, grow here, and create new opportunities for the next generation of creative talent.”

All the available office space is within easy walking distance of Brighton Station and the city centre. 

Expressions of interest

This first round of opportunities aims to attract established businesses and organisations that will, in turn, provide access to freelancers, individual artists and their networks. Various sizes of workspace are available including some air-conditioned suites.

Business owners are currently being invited to submit expressions of interest, including a bid proposal by 2 October.  The expressions of interest should include their rental offer and ability to create a space that meets their needs, alongside their wider impact on the creative sector.

Bids will be assessed and scored using financial and non-financial criteria. These range from community benefit and support for the wider creative sector, to health and wellbeing, including training and staff support.

For more information visit: Creative Workspace Opportunity - Culture in Our City