Local Community Enterprise awards winner & finalist, Caro Bushnell, is launching a new and innovative space in the centre of the Market Centre car park in Tiverton.

Previously a youth walk-in centre, with the new vision, Centre-Space will rejuvenate the venue, offering an affordable place to inspire freelancers, small businesses and community groups, creating room for them to grow. The first strand available in September will be the coworking spaces with coworking desks and 2 private rooms for hire. With an introductory offer of £10 a day, local entrepreneurs can find a new environment to work in and meet others to collaborate with.

Caro Bushnell, Director of Centre - Space, is thrilled to be opening the venue and proud to bring the social enterprise into the heart of the town:

“Having lived in the town centre for decades and raising my children here, I have often passed the empty market centre building and have been itching with ideas as to how to get this into community use and supporting local business too.

“I have been working for a long time with Mid Devon District Council and am delighted we have collaborated on this building and the vision has landed with their support and belief in the project! In light of COVID this central space will be even more important now to aid recovery and connection. The building lends itself to a safe working environment with high ceilings, good ventilation and COVID protocols will be in place.

“It will be a creative space and zero waste with all the fixtures and fittings being sourced locally from the local recycling site, charity shops, auctions, upcycled and donations.

“Tiverton Community radio will finally have a new home too and we can start back up some regular programming from our trusty team of volunteers who have all helped to get the space ready. We are then hoping to get some art pop up events on when safe to do so, such as our popular open mic sessions and performance and a community food surplus kitchen”.

Similar spaces in the UK and internationally have inspired this development - with the current crisis, co-working is likely to become the ‘new normal’, allowing small businesses to stay on their feet with reduced overheads and venues to evolve in. Centre-Space is a not for profit organisation, hoping to give the town a new offering, for those who don’t wish to travel to the city and instead wish to grow their business in the beautiful rural area, thus reducing commuting costs and emissions too.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services and Deputy Leader for the Council, Councillor Bob Evans, said:

“We’re very pleased to be able to support this initiative and we remain hopeful that it will be successful – the energy and enthusiasm of Rick and Caro will certainly drive it forward.  It will provide opportunities for small, embryonic startup businesses in a mutually supportive environment with social interaction, and all activities will be COVID-secure.  Not only will it also serve as a meeting place, but as a space for art and cultural activity, and all located within the heart of the town centre.  The need for this new hub is possibly greater now, given the current challenges we’re all experiencing concerning COVID-19.  Furthermore, it embraces the sustainability and green agendas the Council has signed up to”.

After September, further functions and room hire strands will be available, also with a recording studio for those interested in using arts facilities. The bright and open design will be a refreshing use of the building and Caro has been working hard with her team of local trades and volunteers to prepare a COVID compliant environment. To find out more about the venue, go to https://centre-space.com/ or find them on Facebook @centrespacetiv

Email: info@centre-space.com
Contact: 01884 906025
Address: CENTRE-SPACE, THE MARKET CENTRE, NEWPORT STREET, TIVERTON, EX16 6NH