A new approach for driving ‘Action’ - Partners wanted!

RG: Action - A space that helps make things happen. ● Fostering collaboration ● Vibrant working environment ● Providing opportunity Our goal is to transform a space into the home of a vibrant enterprising community. A community with a spirit that encourages individuals and groups to thrive, through the sharing of information, resources and co-working. The community spirit will pervade three dynamic spaces, these spaces working independently but drawing off each other for mutual benefit. 1. Information Hub Cafe / Event Space: A space to seek information, gain support, share ideas, spark action and see results. In an inclusive, fun and professional environment. ○ A piazza where you can find: opportunities to volunteer, support writing a CV, information sessions about adult learning............ ○ A home for networking groups from all sectors ○ An independently minded social space that drives debate and action 2. Co - Working space A space where enterprising people can work together, sharing knowledge and experience, in a creative and vibrant atmosphere. ○ Membership offering a professional front for home workers ○ Flexible packages - space when you want it or all the time. ○ Meeting rooms at affordable prices 3. Charity/Social Enterprise Co-located Office Space A space that brings organisations together in a collaborative environment to share: expertise, services and costs. ○ Open plan or office space to suit organisations ○ All in prices - keeping it simple and reducing costs ○ Potential for sharing back office services and working together The Challenge 1. Creating this physical space requires a landlord who buys into the vision and talented, creative people who have the inspiration to turn boxes into dynamic spaces. 2. Building an active community. Are you interested in becoming part of the project? Whether offering space, helping make it take shape or becoming a part of the community once launched. Whatever your interest we would like to hear from you. Please get in touch - contact details below.

RG:Action

If you are interested in hearing more please contact: [email protected]

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1. Information Hub Cafe/ Event space ( 3,000 sq ft):

A space to seek information gain support, share ideas, spark action and see results. In an inclusive, fun and professional environment Concept: The goal is to develop an ‘Information Piazza’. A cafe at the core but with varied information services sharing the space. Whether it is; volunteering, training, business start-up or campaigning information that is required, this will be the place to; come, hang out and learn. While talking to and meeting others helping to drive joint action. Off the cafe will be a first rate event space offering a high quality product to encourage business involvement in the mix of the community. This space will also be ultra flexible allowing it to be transformed into a weekend artisan market, training venue or gallery space........... The works and talents of local artists would be used to help create a space with real character, while maintaining the functionality required of a high quality event venue.

Information Hub cafe Independent cafe managed as a concession within the building. The goal is to develop a social enterprise to manage the cafe which will offer training opportunities and pathways to employment. We would also hope this company would manage the cafe in a highly sustainable way, wherever possible using local produce. The space would be laid out to encourage a mix of use; nests of chairs for informal meetings, long tables encouraging guests to talk but mainly it would simply be a comfortable, unrushed place to come. Members/tenants will be able to use the cafe as a low cost access point to retail space. This maybe fairly significant i.e the volunteer centre which is moving from its own retail outlet or very minor i.e renting a shelf to sell handmade jewelery. All products linked to either ‘information’ or ‘start-up retail access’.’ The aim would be to change and develop the space in line with demand. While always recognising the duel key ingredients - a cracking atmosphere and free Wi-Fi!

RG:Action

If you are interested in hearing more please contact: [email protected]

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Event space There will be a flexible event space connected to the cafe, allowing the whole area to be used for larger functions. The actual event space consisting of one large room (approx. 1,500 sq ft) fitted out with moveable walls to allow subdivision into 3 smaller spaces. The event space will primarily be targeted as the SME market and networking groups. The space and service will be of a standard to attract these groups, offering a good value alternative to hotel accommodation The event space will specifically target the business community to offer a hook for business engagement with the building. For attendees who are motivated to get involved, the aim is to build on this trigger by providing well structured opportunities for further involvement with the building community (e.g. mentoring, Angel investment etc..). The offer: ● High quality, functional, town centre event space: ○ Three rooms offering Training / Board room layout for max 30 people ○ Main room offering Theatre style layout for max 150 ● Catering / event management packages

Benefits: ● Ticks CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) box by using venue ● A motivating ‘different’ space for away days etc.. ● Good value when compared to hotel rates Expressions of Interest by 28 September: If you are interested in managing this space please see page 9 for further details. If you would like to use the space to share information/interact with the public or hold an event please get in touch. This will help us build a picture of potential demand as we seek a suitable property. Please direct any questions Richard Corbett: [email protected] or call 0118 9023927.

RG:Action

If you are interested in hearing more please contact: [email protected]

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2. Co-Working Space

A space where enterprising people can work together, sharing knowledge and experience, in a creative and vibrant atmosphere Concept The aim is to develop a community of creative and enterprising individuals and groups. The nature of the community will attract those whose project/business has a more social focus but no limits will be placed on those that wish to get involved. Collaborating widely to maximise sustainable impact. The Co-working space will be a mainly open plan area of around 3,000 sq ft. It will offer a mix of break out space, desk space and meeting rooms. It will have a lively and vibrant atmosphere encouraging members to work together on projects, while at the same time its design will present quiet working spaces.

Reception/ Break-out A mix of soft seating and cafe style seating that offers space for informal meetings and casual work. This is the space where co-work will happen and so it is vital it is welcoming, functional and encourages collaboration. Reception services will include access to photocopiers, franking machines and other devices that would not be affordable for individuals. The space will offer the home worker the services and benefits of an office set up at a fraction of the cost. It will also offer break out space to all other building occupants reducing the overall need for meeting rooms / common spaces.

RG:Action

If you are interested in hearing more please contact: [email protected]

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Meeting Rooms A suite of low cost meeting rooms will be available for members to book. These will vary in size to accommodate between 2-12 people. The rooms will be highly functional but designed to be more than white walled boxes. Maybe not like the greenhouse at the Hub- Westminster but rooms in keeping with the style and concept.

Desk Spaces The space would be set up to recognise the different needs of those hot desking to those with permanent space. Aiming to get the balance right between a collaborative open plan culture and the need for quiet zones. This balance again achieved through creative design and house rules. To gain the best aspects of both open plan and private office space.

The offer: ● Flexible membership packages: ○ Drop in - occasional access plus benefits of community membership ○ Hot desk - 9am-6pm access for fixed number of hours per week ○ Full time - 24/7 access and permanent use of a desk Benefits: ● Easy ‘In / Out’ terms to allow maximum flexibility ● Collaboration, networking and access to community events programme ● Access to community services (reception, meeting rooms, photocopier...)

Membership recruitment If you would like to be kept in touch with the project as a potential member (whether drop in or full time) please get in touch. This will help us assess demand and give you the opportunity to feed in and see first hand how plans develop. Please contact: Richard Corbett: [email protected] or call 0118 9023927.

RG:Action

If you are interested in hearing more please contact: [email protected]

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3. Charity/Social Enterprise Co-Located Office Space

A space that brings organisations together in a collaborative environment to share: expertise, services and costs. Concept Aimed at more established organisations who wish to gain the advantages of co-location while maintaining greater independence, their own space and their own lease. This space will primarily be targeted at charities and social enterprises, however commercial organisastions that offer services/benefits to the building community will also be considered for occupancy. Over time we would expect groups that start life in the co-working space to grow and move to this space. Expanding to meet their growing needs but remaining a part of the wider building community. As such we expect the need for space in this area to grow over time (hence the advantage of a building where expansion is possible).

Open Plan Open space divided by low partitions in traditional open plan style. As well as the advantages of sharing common space with other organisations this provides the maximum flexibility in terms of changing space.

RG:Action

If you are interested in hearing more please contact: [email protected]

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Partitioned Offices/Studios The aim of the building is to drive collaboration but not everyone wants to be in open plan. For those organisations seeking greater privacy individual offices will be available.

The offer: ● The intention is to lease space based on a charge per sq ft. The aim is to keep this charge down to an all inclusive figure of around £20 per sq ft (note this is a target figure, until a property is secured we cannot give more than indicative amounts). ● Leases over a period of 1-5 years Benefits: ● Complete facilities management package - reducing the hassle of running an office ● Co-location benefits and access to services from the rest of the building ● Potential for shared back office functions and other cost savings

Tenant Interest If your organisation is interested in becoming a tenant in the building please let us know by 28 September 2012. Please note this is only to make us aware of your interest to help us make a decision on the feasibility of the project. No commitment will be expected until it is clear where the building will be, the kind of space available and rental costs. Please direct any questions or expressions of interest to Richard Corbett: [email protected] or call 0118 9023927.

RG:Action

If you are interested in hearing more please contact: [email protected]

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The Building

We are seeking to work with an investor / landlord(s) who will share our vision and work with us to deliver the concept. This will be about having: a) A willingness to invest to create the infrastructure we require b) To share in the risk of building occupancy c) To have a 10 year time horizon but with a 5 year break (if it does not work) Reading Voluntary Action will: a) Provide over £100k funding to facilitate the successful start up of the space. b) Pay a fair market rent for the co-working space (3,000 sq ft) c) Support the development of a social enterprise to manage the Cafe/event space (renting 3,000 sq ft, on terms to be agreed that recognise the start up phase this group would be in) d) Promote the office space - We currently have 12 groups expressing an interest in taking space in the building e) Provide day to day on site management of the premises The building We are looking for a building (or number of buildings) that meet the following criteria: 1. 9,000 - 12,000 sq ft (the ability to expand further if the project is a success would be an asset). 2. Walking distance from Reading town centre 3. Ground floor retail space -suitable for Information hub cafe/events 4. DDA compliant - Highly desirable for whole building, essential for public area 5. Service charge £3-5 per sq ft, car parking desirable Expressions of interest We are seeking expressions of interest from organisations whether landlords or investors who are interested in becoming partners in the project either:. 1. Total space: To provide the whole space 9,000-12,000 (up to 15,000 sq ft longer term) 2. Module delivery: To provide space for individual elements of the project: a) Information hub cafe / Event Space (3,000 sq ft, ideally ground floor, town centre) b) Co-working space (3,000 sq ft, open plan) c) Charity/Social Enterprise co-located office space (3,000 - 9,000 sq ft). Closing date for expressions of interest is 28 September 2012. Please direct any questions or offers of support to Richard Corbett: [email protected] or call 0118 9023927. The partner will be selected based on: 1. The partner that sees our vision and is prepared to share the risk to see it delivered. 2. The best value (location, price, building) on offer 3. In a position to deliver a building for initial occupation by 15 January 2013 Given the current market and potential capital appreciation of a building over the period of this project. We believe this is not only an interesting and rewarding project to become involved in but also offers a sound commercial deal.

RG:Action

If you are interested in hearing more please contact: [email protected]

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Cafe / Event space Concession

We are looking for a partner to run the catering /event management aspects of the space. We believe we will create a prime location that will allow a concession to thrive. Our intention is that this aspect of the project is delivered by a social enterprise whose primary focus is providing avenues to work. Its role with in the building would be to manage the catering and event operations. The organisation would offer a mix of employment, work experience and training. With the aim that all those employed (except management roles) moved on to other full time employment with in one year. What we can do ● Underwrite ground rent until September 2013 ● Support in seeking funding loans/grants to support start up ● A customer base from within the building The options for taking this forward are: 1. Social Enterprise - Partnership Developing a new social enterprise supported by a number of organisations with differing expertise: ● Catering/event management ● Mentoring (supporting people into work) ● Training / support organisations 2. Social Enterprise - Single organisation Providing a contract to a single social enterprise to manage the cafe/event space. In the first instance enterprises with aims to support people into employment would be preferred however groups with other aims that fit the culture of the building will be considered. 3. Commercial organisation If we fail to set up/find a suitable social enterprise the cafe/event services are still required. We will therefore also consider offers to run the space from independent commercial operations. If you are interested in managing the Information hub cafe /event space the closing date for expressions of interest in any of the three approaches outlined is 28 September 2012. Please note this is only to make us aware of your interest, no commitment will be expected until it is clear where the building will be and the kind of space available. Please direct any questions or expressions of interest to Richard Corbett: [email protected] or call 0118 9023927.

RG:Action

If you are interested in hearing more please contact: [email protected]

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