New Lewes co-working hub given the go-ahead

At a meeting on Monday (February 10), Lewes District Council’s cabinet members agreed to set aside up to £250,000 to fund the opening of a flexible office space, known as a co-working hub, in a vacant, former council building in Fisher Street.

According to council papers, the hub, would be aimed at those working in the creative, digital and IT industries.

It will include a café, space for activities and events, offices, and a board room and  designed to create a community and encourage co-working among its members.

The proposals were welcomed by the council’s lead member for regeneration James MacCleary, who described the project as ‘very good news for Lewes’. 

Cllr MacCleary said: “It is in my view, very good news for Lewes. We have a significant section of our economy in the town made up of the creative industries which has been consistently above the national average for many years now.

“The building is not in fantastic condition. Obviously it is a landmark building in the centre of town, obviously it is not very new and therefore it has to have specialist work done on it.”

The project is expected to see the council working in partnership The Werks Group (TWG), a business which already operates a network of co-working hubs in Brighton.

As part of the deal, TWG would fund the majority of the building’s refurbishment costs – expected to come to around £400,000 – and take on responsibility for maintenance of the building once the initial works are complete. 

In return, the hub would be leased to TWG at a peppercorn rent for at least 10 years, with the council to begin receiving a share of the hub’s profits once it is fully-established and earning more than £50,000.

This would only be expected to happen after five years, council papers say. 

The broad terms of this lease were approved by cabinet members during the meeting, although the final arrangements are expected to come forward at a later date. 

The project is also expected to save the council costs on repairs and maintenance on the currently vacant building. 

In a report considered as part of the meeting, a council spokesman said: “Although this proposal would require an up-front capital commitment, it would remove the Council’s on-going repairs and maintenance liabilities as well as rates liabilities of £35,532. 

“In addition, it removes a significant risk for the Council of holding a vacant building in terms of security and its continued deterioration, whilst enabling much needed additional office space accommodation and supporting opportunities for an increased economy within Lewes.”