RESIDENTS in Dickens Heath now have access to office space right on their doorstep.
As part of an innovative six-month trial, Solihull Council has teamed up with Third Space Solutions to transform the vacant first floor of Dickens Heath Library into a flexible new workspace.
The new space will provide those living in the new-build village with access to a paid-for accessible and professional place to work from, offering bookable desks, collaborative working booths, and even soundproof pods for video conferencing and private calls.
The idea behind the ‘Dickens Heath WorkHub’ is to look at how car journeys might be reduced.
Inspired by the principles behind the ‘15-minute neighbourhood’* this pilot will bring a facility that people need to access on a daily basis to within a short walk or bike ride from their home.
Open 9am until 5pm from Monday to Friday, WorkHub users can expect to access dedicated reliable broadband, and a range of modern and comfortable workspace options with mains and USB charging.
A full day costs £15 but a range of pricing options are available, allowing residents to book the space they need by the hour, day or for longer set periods.
Local businesses and employers are also able to make block bookings for their staff based in the village.
Coun Ken Hawkins, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: “Hybrid working is increasingly becoming the norm for lots of us.
“We know that post-pandemic many companies and organisations have reduced their office capacity, leaving lots of people with no permanent set place of work. Responding to this trend we want to test demand for local touchdown office space giving those that are able to do work remotely more options and greater flexibility.”
Coun Diane Howell, cabinet member for communities said: “As well as addressing the dual issues of local congestion and transport emissions, this pathfinder project is also a valuable opportunity for the us to explore additional future uses for buildings within our communities.
“We will be closely monitoring this pilot over the next 6 months to better understand the demand and financial viability of providing similar flexible workspace elsewhere in Solihull.”
Visit www.yourworkhub.co.uk for more information.
