Issue - meetings

Further to Minute 8 (25 May 2021), the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development presented a report on the outcome of the procurement process for a workspace operator to develop and run the Roycraft House office building in Barking Town Centre, which was to become surplus to the Council’s requirements later in the year.

The workspace consultancy, Workwild, had been commissioned to work alongside Be First to undertake research and assess demand for a new, innovative destination and focal point for local communities and businesses.  That work indicated a strong demand and, following an initial Expressions of Interest stage, four organisations were shortlisted to submit detailed proposals.  The Cabinet Member commended the quality of each of the four bids and was pleased to report that Make It Group had been chosen as the preferred bidder, its proposal being described as “a multi-faceted destination for the local community, visitors and a workspace for 208 independent businesses; Home to some of London’s most exciting makers, food stars, retailers, content creators, designers, social enterprises and start-up businesses – including an event/café and community space, a rooftop garden, a co-working floor and a series of public facing creative facility spaces”. 

The Cabinet Member referred to the financial arrangements for the project, which would not only result in the Council achieving considerable savings from no longer being responsible for the building but also receiving a rental income from Make It Group.  It was also noted that Make It Group would be investing circa £1m into the project and further grant support, on top of £20,000 already secured, would be sought from the Mayor of London’s High Street Challenge Fund.

Cabinet Members spoke of their overwhelming support for the project and the significant contribution it was expected to make to the night-time economy in the Town Centre, its synergies with existing initiatives such as the Barking Enterprise Centre and the Borough’s thriving Business Forum, including the Young Entrepreneurs network.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that the Council enters into a 10-year lease (plus an initial five months for fit-out works) and Service Level Agreement with Make It Group to operate Roycraft House as workspace, in line with the bid submission and subsequent consultation; and

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development and the Strategic Director, Law and Governance, to conclude the lease and any related documents to deliver the objective to operate Roycraft House as a workspace.