Twickenham will soon be the home of a new community-focused enterprise and innovation hub.

Richmond Council has announced that Patch Places Ltd will be bringing the "neighbourhood workspace" to 42 York Street.

This is a Council-owned building, originally the headquarters of the South Eastern Electricity Board and currently home to Achieving for Children.

The space has become available as the result of a cost saving plan designed to make better use of council buildings. And it will provide a new home to people who may have been working from home but would welcome the chance to meet and network with others.

Patch will have public access space on the ground floor, including a locally-run café, an events studio and a podcast studio. The space will also be used to host a variety of events, from inspiring talks, to supper clubs, business workshops, networking events and crafts classes.

The building will also have a workspace on the upper floors, open to everyone from freelancers and home-workers, to SMEs and larger businesses.

Memberships fees will start at £24 a month and Patch plans to give scholarships to local students to give them access to the workspace and foster partnerships with local universities and colleges.

The project is part funded by BIG South London, a programme led by the South London Partnership (SLP), that supports innovation-led economic growth by helping local businesses to grow and improve their productivity through support from and engagement with the six South London Universities.

advertisement

Cllr Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council and Chair of the South London Partnership, said: "In our 2022 manifesto, we promised residents that we would deliver an affordable shared workspace in Twickenham. I am delighted that we are able to announce that Patch will deliver this, in the heart of the town centre.

"We are committed to the future of Twickenham, with long-term development plans to make it a vibrant and inclusive centre for residents, businesses and residents.

"Alongside the Twickenham Riverside redevelopment, this enterprise and innovation hub will bring new opportunities and innovation to the high street and will be a great community asset for many years to come. We look forward to welcoming businesses, entrepreneurs and residents from across our borough and beyond to Patch, and to Twickenham."

Freddie Fforde, Founder and CEO of Patch, said: "We're so excited to open a Patch space in Twickenham and provide a dynamic venue right in the heart of the community where everyone can work, collaborate, connect, and participate.

"This will bring the best of both worlds - allowing people to balance their work and home life by reducing time spent commuting to the office, whilst also offering new and enhanced opportunities for people to connect to their community and discover brilliant local businesses and events."

Achieving for Children will be moving into the Council's Civic Centre at 44 York Street.