Charities move into Coventry's 'creative quarter' creates shortage of space - The Coventry Observer

Charities move into Coventry's 'creative quarter' creates shortage of space

Coventry Editorial 21st Nov, 2017   0

TWO international charities are the latest organisations to move into Coventry’s ‘Creative Quarter’ in Gosford Street and the FarGo Village.

Amid widespread interest from the creative sector, the shortage of office space has become a concern, say promoters.

Reall and WEC International are bringing over 50 staff to join the digital and creative companies which have made Coventry’s bohemian area their home.

It means all office space is now fully occupied.




Brian Harrabin, of Complex Development Projects, said: “This is further evidence of how Far Gosford Street is attracting organisations who are drawn by the alternative vibe which continues to get stronger.

“We are not only achieving impressive rents, but also fielding a regular flow of interest.


“We want to keep attracting this sort of inward investment – it is really important that Coventry has a diverse economy and our fortunes aren’t solely based on the car industry, fantastic though it is.

“There is certainly an acute lack of office space for businesses in the creative and digital sectors wanting to move to Coventry or expand here particularly in the Creative Quarter, which has become the most desirable location in the city for non-corporates.”

This is underlined by a recent Warwick Business School report estimating Coventry’s creative businesses have an annual turnover in the region of £0.5 billion.

Reall has moved its 21 staff into new offices fronting Sky Blue Way to continue its international development work to build affordable houses with good sanitation for people living in slum areas in Africa and Asia.

Karen Preece, interim chief executive and director of finance at Reall, said: “We wanted premises which conveyed a more professional image with a central location and this ticks all the boxes since it is a lively, busy area,” she said.

UK and international charity and Christian missionary organisation, WEC International, has moved its headquarters from its base of nearly 50 years in Buckinghamshire and re-located to Gosford Street to carry on its diverse work.

This ranges from starting churches and youth work to music and the arts in the UK and over 80 other nations around the world.

John Bagg, UK Director of WEC International, said: “We chose Far Gosford Street because we liked the multi-cultural mix and the redevelopment work taking place which meant it was a really good fit.

“It has been wonderful to be embraced by the church community in Coventry and the local community around Far Gosford Street.

“It’s a good time to come to Coventry and we want to be a part of what is happening here and make whatever contribution we are able to.”

The Harnall Row and Scala developments were undertaken by developers Complex Development Projects in partnership with Coventry City Council. The project were supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

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