Got an empty building?
We are currently looking for new project spaces in London and Somerset of between 3,500 and 150,000 sq ft.
The rapid growth of online shopping, rising business rates and rents, soaring energy costs for homes and businesses, the effects of Brexit, and the increase in the use of out-of-town shopping centres are all contributing to the decline of British high streets and town centres and the rise of retail and office vacancies.
Compounding this issue are landlords indifferent to their tenants’ needs, lacking vision for their investments, or a sense of responsibility towards their properties or the community.
We believe rejuvenating the high street requires social commercial landlords to take ownership of failing buildings, to renovate them and find contemporary uses that align with community needs.
Allowing free or low-cost use of space for local businesses, creatives and artists to trial ideas, innovate and grow can restore high streets and town centres as social and economic hubs, improve visitor levels, social activity and connectedness, the public realm, employment, and community morale.
What we do with a building
- We establish and operate high quality and sustainable creative hubs by using empty buildings, often fitted out with upcycled surplus construction materials and reclaimed furniture.
- We take on buildings for interim use prior to redevelopment. PopHub Leicester Square has run since 2018 in end-of-life offices in Westminster’s redevelopment pipeline; Church Street Studios ran from 2021 to 2023 in offices leased to us by Westminster City Council for interim use prior to redevelopment.
- We employ locally and are supplied by local providers wherever possible.
- In Somerset we deliver flexible retail incubator spaces that give local businesses up to nine months free of rent and bills to trial their high street idea, with a £1,500 capital grant and mentorship, transitioning into a commercial lease.
Landlords, funders and local authorities interested in revitalising town centres, please contact us at hello@interimspaces.co.uk.
41 Whitcomb Street, Westminster
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BeforeAfterBeforeTired, hard-let, end-of-life offices in the redevelopment pipeline, significant empty property costs attached.
AfterA vacant public asset transformed into an affordable creative coworking facility with 55 desk spaces and 16 studios, two meeting rooms, recording studio, conference room, large rehearsal/mixed use studio, print room, reception, bike storage, toolroom. 100+ members and 30 SME businesses. A model of ethical property re-use.
10 Market Place, Shepton Mallet
BeforeAfterBeforeA vacant, neglected, hard-let town centre building.
AfterThe historic building transformed using funding, renovated to a high standard, activated with a rolling programme of wellbeing and education in music and the arts in the top floor studio, staff offices on the first floor, and a retail incubator on the ground floor, offering up to nine months rent and bills free to local businesses to trial out their ideas, supported by a £1,500 capital grant and mentorship into a commercial lease.
The following local and national businesses have supported Interim Spaces with sponsorships or donations of materials, products or services.
