Pop-up workspaces help people to start their business

The number of pop-up workspaces which help boost independent businesses is set to rise over the next couple of years.

There will be an increase in hubs like Pop Brixton as six new affordable venues are planned to appear across Lambeth by 2021.

An 11-story office block in Brixton, International House, will complete its refurbishment by summer 2019 and is due to become one of London’s largest affordable workspaces.

The enterprise is driven by the Lambeth Works project, which has supported more than 300 businesses and has generated more than 200 new jobs.

Lambeth council was highly praised by the Enterprising Britain Awards, which described the venture as “the most ambitious affordable and supportive workspace programme for start-ups, micro and small business in Britain.”

Councillor Matthew Bennett, Lambeth cabinet member for planning, regeneration and jobs, said: “Lambeth Works is delivering a huge amount of workspace, with more to come, that is helping a real variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs, on council land and in council buildings at lower than market cost.

“It’s all about providing opportunity and ensuring that the benefits of growth in the borough are felt by everybody.”

Zoe Adjonyoh, owner of Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen in Pop Brixton, is one of the many entrepreneurs supported by the programme.

She said: “Pop Brixton has been instrumental in allowing my brand to test its restaurant concept without absorbing too much financial risk.

“It meant we could take risks with our menu rather than with our money and this has allowed us to grow and develop our menu offerings over time-responding to customer feedback.”