Project

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Type of Meanwhile Space: Enterprise Incubation

Meanwhile project funding: £10,000

Contact: Martin Clark, martin@citylifeltd.org

The hot-desking space at BeginSpace in Cambridge using the old cash desk in the former building society property Martin from BeginSpace in Cambridge tries out the high tech facilities in the centre Outside view of the BeginSpace building in cambridge

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The project

Begin Space is a social enterprise incubation centre that has been created in a disused bank next to a shopping centre in the heart of Cambridge. It was created to “inspire and enable entrepreneurs” providing free support and space for those wishing to start up a social enterprise, community initiative or an innovative business (Martin Clark, project coordinator). As an enterprise incubator, Begin Space facilitates various activities such as drop-in mentoring services provided by Jeremy Parsons, hot-desking facilities, shared work spaces, meeting rooms and event spaces.

There is the capacity for 15 projects to be based at Begin Space and there is a mixture of people that come through the door: people with new ideas, people with setbacks in their project, people reviewing their options. Martin explained that, “what is appealing to them is that it is flexible and free.” The hope is that new projects and businesses are created as a result of this innovative facility.

One of Begin Space’s main strategies is to connect people with each other and with resources. For individuals they provide a place to support each other by sharing resources and ideas. To encourage Cambridge’s many networks to communicate, there are different projects that share the space such as Changing Spaces and companies who rent out the meeting rooms. Begin Space also tries to have overlapping activities to stimulate further crossover and create new relations and to generate ideas. They hold a weekly event called ‘Open Coffee’ where people can come and informally network and use the space for local artists to exhibit their work.

Why it was created

When the number of empty units in Cambridge began to rise, various local groups became aware of the necessity for community engagement and the potential of Meanwhile activity as a possible solution to the problem. One of these groups was City Life, who run the Social Enterprise Centre on the outskirts of central Cambridge.

As the Social Enterprise Centre is not in the centre and has no high-street presence, Martin Clark director of City Life together with Jeremy Parsons, a local Vicar with a background in business, wanted to see whether the project would benefit from a position on the high street where it would be more accessible to the general public. The temporary nature of the Meanwhile lease gave the opportunity to test out this idea, so they decided to create a temporary hub for social enterprise which they would call, Begin Space.

A list of partners (individuals or organisations) that make it happen

Jeremy Parsons – Begin Space co-founder and mentor

Martin Clark – Begin Space co-founder, City Life

Prudential, Property owners

Keystone Development Trust

Did the project ever look threatened, how was this overcome?

“The biggest challenge was finding the right unit and starting up the project on a very tight budget. The 5,000K start-up grant helped pay for the setting-up and general running costs but support was also given locally: Students and artists have helped to decorate the space, people have donated furniture and the city council have provided a 20% rate relief.”

Martin Clark

What is the best story to come out of it (so far?)

A community project was set up by a BeginSpace user called Lawrence: “To help him with his radio controlled racing facility project I connected him to a Property Lawyer so they can work together. I also helped him with fundraising advice and have got him some volunteers. Lawrence sometimes comes two-three times a week. As his mentor I am structuring him, giving advice on looking for certain people.” Jeremy Parsons

How do you measure the impact of your project?

The footfall of the incubator:

- 2/3 members of the public per day, drop in out of curiosity

- 3 people per day come in for set appointments

- 8 regular users, getting on with their own enterprises

- 30-40 people have had “meaningful” contact with Begin Space since its inception

Something is happening with around sixteen different organisations as a consequence of coming to Begin Space. They have done something instrumental in moving on projects at varying stages of development. According to Martin, this test phase has proved that it can work and that there is a role for a space where people can pass through. “Begin space is a great showcase and inspiration for anyone wanting to start up something new.” Martin Clark

For the community of Cambridge, this project has turned an otherwise disused space into a resource for the community. It has also helped to encourage the strengthening of local networks and therefore increased Cambridge’s social capital.

A budget/costs explanation

On an initial budget of just £5k Begin Space managed to open the centre using a huge amount of volunteer help and recycled furniture, and run it for 6 weeks. For a further £5k Begin Space was kept open into January.

Costs over the 3 month period:

Rent - landlord, Prudential	£0
Rates For 3 months thanks to Cambridge City Council	£0

Recycled computers	£605
Broadband	£500
Staff salaries	£5,000
Exterior sign	£240
Builder for one day	£200
Van rental for move	£65
Utilities	£2,000
Kitchen equipment	£500
Insurance	£200
Coffee, tea, sugar	£200
Management time	£500
*TOTAL*	*£10,010*