Small businesses and start-ups in South Oxfordshire are being offered a golden opportunity to establish themselves in the hearts, minds and lives of South Oxfordshire’s residents. Oxford City Council has announced an ingenious scheme to repurpose and transform dozens of retail units that are standing empty all over the county.
Meanwhile in Oxfordshire
The Council has formed a partnership with the visionary organisation Makespace Oxford and is investing £1.9 million to revive the region’s high streets by encouraging a wide and diverse range of entrepreneurs to set up independent shops, cultural venues, studios and shared working space.
Funding was secured by Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) from the Government’s Getting Building Fund. South Oxfordshire joins West Oxfordshire, Cherwell and the Vale of White Horse in this ground-breaking scheme.
Named ‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire’ the project’s ambitious aim is to inject new life into its high streets where neglect and the pressures of the pandemic have stunted economic activity and growth.
Cllr Bethia Thomas, said: “We’re looking forward to working in partnership with Makespace and other new partners to help bring a wider range of businesses into our traditional market towns.” The initiative to attract new business, social and cultural ventures aims to increase visitor and shopper numbers to benefit the whole region.
Cllr Robin Bennett spoke of the council’s pledge “to support entrepreneurs, community organisations and creative businesses wanting to move into our town centres.” Adding that “it will improve the energy efficiency of re-fitted units, provide ongoing support to tenants and offer low-cost or even free rentals to organisations offering unique benefits to the local community.”
A new economic vision
The county is already one of the UK’s most innovative economies and has a healthy employment environment. Oxfordshire will build on this by generating hundreds of new jobs, giving priority to organisations that pay the Oxford Living Wage. Moreover, by working in close consultation with local residents and businesses, the council hopes to promote a more inclusive, circular economy that is sensitive and responsive to local needs.
Makespace is the ideal partner, with its proven track record of successes including Open House in Little Clarendon Street and the Makespace Oxford workspace in Aristotle Lane. Andy Edwards, Co-Director and Programme Coordinator of Makespace Oxford is enthusiastic about his organisation’s leading role in what he describes as “this timely and ground-breaking programme.”
Edwards adds: “The Meanwhile in Oxfordshire programme offers a crucial boost at a critical time to help local organisations countywide to gain access to appropriate spaces and be part of a movement to revive our urban centres and offer a positive new vision of the high street.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council said: “This project will make it easier for entrepreneurs to open businesses, create hundreds of jobs, and give residents more reasons to visit their local town and city centres.
