Workhubs offer a cost effective means for the government to promote enterprise while curbing carbon emissions, according to a new report by the Workhubs Network.
Workhubs: smart workspace for the low carbon economy, a study by the Workhubs Network, the sister organisation to Live/Work Network, says that most of the premises furnished by public agencies for supporting enterprise offer business park style accommodation unsuited to the growing number of home-based start ups.
It says: 'In the low carbon economy it is questionable whether this emphasis should continue to dominate investment strategies. Business parks, industrial estates and innovation centres rely heavily on construction and commuting and do not apparently reflect new lifestyle trends that are changing the way business operates.
'In a period of tight investment (public and private), there is also a case to be made for smarter investment in buildings which support as many businesses as possible beyond those that occupy office space.' Instead, the report suggests that agencies, councils and the government should provide greater support for workhubs.
Home-based workhub users surveyed for the study overwhelmingly felt that they had been able to lower their carbon footprint by using shared facilities and by cutting down on work-related travel.
A third said that if they did not have access to a workhub, they might have to invest in additional work premises. The survey also showed twice as many people travelled to workhubs on foot, and triple the number by bike, compared to national averages for commuting to work.
Among a series of recommendations, the study says that central government should recognise the important role of workhubs in supporting home based businesses and consider setting up a challenge fund for providing such facilities.
It says that economic development agencies and councils should consider using their own assets to provide workhub facilities, rethink workspace investment patterns and land use to support a lower carbon workspace infrastructure, recognising the growing use of the home as a place of work.
Grant Shapps. Minister for Housing and Local Government, welcomed the report. He said: 'This government is right behind the thousands of people across the country trying to set up or grow a business from home. It’s right that we find innovative ways of supporting them – particularly in these tough economic times.
'As part of this I am already working to remove the barriers to social tenants running a business from home. This report is a timely reminder to all the public sector about the difference practical support can make to businesses as well as the environment. It should be essential reading for councils who want to provide the best possible support for local businesses in their community.'
The report has led to the forming of a new national Workhubs Network (at www.workhubs.com) with a new revamped website ready for use by the end of the summer.
Download Workhubs report.
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