FIVE MINUTES WITH ...
compared to 2019 – over half of which is concentrated on London . But there is reason for hope . The challenges that creative businesses faced – both before and during the pandemic – allow us to formulate a clear and actionable wish list for a better future , to imagine a world in which the contribution of creatives is recognised , supported , and actively designed for . A real chance to build back better .
Q . HOW DO YOU SEE WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS CHANGING ?
» I believe there is both an opportunity and a need for synergy and partnership between workspace providers and creatives . As landlords , we can drop the ‘ like it or lump it ’ approach , and adapt our offering to suit the best interests of everyone . We don ’ t need to make businesses pay full-time rents to cover parttime needs . We don ’ t need to commit them to overheads that drain cash that could be spent on growth . We can offer flexible workspace tenancies that give companies and individuals the best chance to rebuild and expand , without frightening them off with intimidating financial commitments .
Q . HOW CAN THE SECTOR BOUNCE BACK AFTER THE PANDEMIC ?
» If we ’ re to get our creative industries back on track , we need to make sure businesses are able to invest in staff , development , systems , marketing – all the elements that enable growth . To do that , rents have to come down to give creatives time to get back on their feet – and remain affordable afterwards . The economic challenges the industry is facing meant we had to find viable ways of reducing rents so our tenant businesses could invest in sustaining themselves . And that ’ s not selflessness ; it ’ s basic business sense – as workplace providers , if the sector we ’ re set up to serve doesn ’ t survive , then nor do we . I ’ m not for a moment suggesting that landlords
20 October 2021