Meanwhile Space CIC

Please join us! 💥   Following on from our December sessions ‘Small Sites: Big Impact: Solutions for Transitional Accommodation & Beyond’ - we are hosting more sessions in the Spring.   In December we met with design professionals, modular unit contractors, developers, local authorities and regeneration professionals, to explore practical and innovative solutions for addressing the UK housing challenge. From rethinking small sites to envisioning broader community impacts, these forums highlighted the power of collective action in tackling complex issues.    Our next date is Tuesday 18th March at Ebury Edge, Victoria. This time we want to focus on how to leverage institutional and impact investment to unlock deliverability whilst creating much-needed social and placeshaping benefits as part of the solution. Now it’s time for Small Sites to create big impact. 💥   To book your spot at our 18th March in-person session, please email rumi@meanwhilespace.com  #smallsites #transitionalaccomodation #meanwhiles #buildingcommunities #placeshaping

Introducing Upskilling at LJ, a series of free career and creativity boosting workshops at our Loughborough Junction site 🌟 Featuring... 🧑💼 A CV surgery and free professional headshots 🌍 A language exchange 📋 HR + Health and Safety Workshops 📘 Bookbinding, collaging and craft workshops 🖥️ Introductions to Canva and Figma Reserve your space or share with your network: https://lnkd.in/e-XYScm9 📍 LJ Works, 5 Gastineau Yard, SW9 7FA IG: @ljworks_ldn #businesssupport #upskilling #events #freetraining #workshops

Yesterday, we visited a new project being developed in Harrow with the council, Meanwhile Space CIC and Jan Kattein Architects in the corner of a surface car park - Greenhill Way Meanwhile Use Project We heard from Harrow Council how they had taken the time to understand what space was missing  locally and tested demand with gallery spaces and bringing empty shops back; many of which have gone on to develop into permanent businesses. Jan Kattein and Emily Berwyn shared how the site has been designed to accommodate businesses at different stages from small office space to greenhouses for growing or exhibiting and a large shipping container gallery space designed to draw people in from the street. The development itself (and many other JKA sites) includes yard space which offers opportunities for activation via markets and events and a place to dwell for all. It also addresses sustainability challenges in being reusable and all buildings can be lifted off site. The site is lovely with colour throughout, varnished floors and a simple wood finish. In the largest space there is a cathedral-like feel which would suit many different uses. It will be finished in the coming weeks and meanwhile are currently looking for an anchor tenant (more on their website) Key takeaways when thinking about meanwhile: - Strong partnerships are key - It’s a test (of uses) and doesn’t need to be perfect - How can the site complement, not compete with what's there already? - Site development needs to be quick from feasibility, design and build to planning to avoid eating into the live/open phase - Can new public space be included and access opened up to existing high streets and town centres so a site is connected to the existing fabric and encourages people in - There needs to be an operational and commercial plan to make it financially viable post opening #workspace #meanwhile #highstreets #towncentres

On Wednesday we had a preview walk-around of the upcoming Harrow project, due to launch Spring 2025, thanks to Jan Kattein & Sullivan Bros (Construction) Ltd for organising and hosting. We’re excited to be taking over this space next year! Want to find out more? Visit: https://lnkd.in/euE2r7bY #harrow #harrowtowncentre #meanwhileuses #enhancingharrowtowncentre

📢Final reminder: A Temporary Fix? Shopping Centres: From Vacancy to Vibrancy   Thursday 5th December 2024, 5:30–8:00pm   Venue: Online via Teams or join us in person at Stacks Lounge, The Food Court, Sovereign Shopping Centre, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1HE    As coastal towns like Weston-Super-Mare grapple with increasing vacancies in shopping centres, innovative approaches to reimagining these spaces are more important than ever.   Join us and expert guests Mark Canniford Suzi Winstanley, Kevin White and Andrew Mistry, for a panel discussion exploring how we’ve helped to transform the Sovereign Shopping Centre with initiatives like the We Are Super co-working hub. Together, we’ll uncover the roles and perspectives of key players revitalising the centre, challenges faced, successes achieved so far, and practical strategies for other communities to revive similar spaces.   We’ll dive into questions such as: Can temporary solutions create long term impact? Are shopping centres primed for a comeback? What innovative solutions can we take forward for other spaces?   Sign up now to join us in-person: https://lnkd.in/eAYzTNmU   Can’t attend in person? Join us online via Teams, sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eR8Zig6y     Emily Berwyn Eddie Bridgeman Debbie Cripps Freya Bishop Montagu Evans Turner.Works INNER CIRCLE CONSULTING North Somerset Council #meanwhilespace #regeneration #shoppingcentrerevival #WeAreSuper #WestonSuperMare #placemaking #communityhub

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting A Forum – Small Sites: Big Impact: Solutions for Transitional Accommodation & Beyond. The day was filled with meaningful discussions, creative ideas, and collaborative energy as we explored practical and innovative solutions for addressing transitional housing challenges. From rethinking small sites to envisioning broader community impacts, the forum highlighted the power of collective action in tackling complex issues. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important conversation! 

Meanwhile Space is convening cross-sector practitioners around the topic of Small Sites to help find solutions for temporary accommodation and other uses which create real benefit for communities.   With collective knowledge, passion and skills we can collaboratively deliver solutions. We have tackled other topics this way: from meanwhile uses to affordable workspace to high street activation and demountable buildings.   Now it’s time for Small Sites to create big impact.   👉 To book your spot at one of our 28th November or 4th December in-person sessions, email rumi@meanwhilespace.com

Thanks Populo Living for the invite to the Carpenters Estate community day at the weekend! It was great to see the first parts of the estate meanwhile strategy come to life. Big congratulations to Yes Make for the play areas, which are looking fantastic, and Steel Warriors for the outdoor gym and feats of athleticism. Mural painting, breakdancing and DJs definitely brought some colour and an enthusiastic turn out to a gloomy  November afternoon.   Planning permission was also granted last week for the transformation of the estate's TMO site, and on Friday the train carriage finally arrived ready for its new life as a community café alongside a community garden. This is really interesting work taking an estate-wide strategic approach to integrating meanwhile within a large residential-led redevelopment scheme - engaging through doing and, in its principles of circularity, experimenting with what is possible.   Congratulations also to Jan Kattein Architects, public works and make:good - this is an exciting programme to be part of as it continues to evolve. Meanwhile Space CIC

📢 A Temporary Fix? Shopping Centres: From Vacancy to Vibrancy Thursday 5th December 2024, 5:30–8:00pm Venue: Online via Teams or join us in person at Stacks Lounge, The Food Court, Sovereign Shopping Centre, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1HE As coastal towns like Weston-Super-Mare grapple with increasing vacancies in shopping centres, innovative approaches to reimagining these spaces are more important than ever. Join us and expert guests for an engaging panel discussion exploring how we’ve helped to transform the Sovereign Shopping Centre with initiatives like our We Are Super co-working hub. Together, we’ll uncover the roles and perspectives of key players revitalising the centre, challenges faced, successes achieved so far, and practical strategies for other communities to revive similar spaces. We’ll dive into questions such as: ❔Can temporary solutions create long term impact? ❔Are shopping centres primed for a comeback? ❔Should we rethink their future altogether? Sign up now to join us in-person: https://lnkd.in/eAYzTNmU 💻 Hybrid Event: Can’t attend in person? Join us online via Teams! Online sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eR8Zig6y We look forward to seeing you there. Let’s reimagine what’s possible for our town centres. Eddie Bridgeman Emily Berwyn Debbie Cripps North Somerset Council Montagu Evans Turner.Works Mark Canniford Josyanne Clarke #MeanwhileSpace #ShoppingCentreRevival #WeAreSuper #WestonSuperMare #CommunityHubs

We're excited to start promoting the Anchor Tenant unit for the upcoming Greenhill Way Meanwhile Use Project in Harrow, on track to launch Spring 2025.    Are you an established, public-facing organisation looking for a space to bring your business or project to life?   We're keen to hear from local businesses and organisations ready to activate this space with unique, forward-thinking leisure uses. Priority will go to proposals with a clear, public-facing offer, delivering in sectors like:  • Wellbeing • Arts & Culture • Entertainment • Food • Education • Or any hybrid ideas that bring something fresh to the community!   This is a great opportunity to create impact in Harrow, and we’re open to a variety of uses that add vibrancy to the site. Check out the information pack for more details, site specifics, terms, and how to apply.   👉 Enquire now: https://lnkd.in/eH9x_tYD Harrow Council Jan Kattein Jan Kattein Architects Sullivan Bros (Construction) Ltd #Opportunity #AnchorTenant #HarrowBusiness #CommunitySpaces #MeanwhileUse #harrow #harrowtowncentre and #enhancingharrowtowncentre