Join us to hear how local trusts, councils & asset owners are making it easier for community entrepreneurs to access town centre property
About this event
Across the UK, local people are creating businesses that could revitalise town centres – repair and sharing spaces, community bakeries, climate action hubs, affordable housing – services that develop critical social, economic and climate resilient infrastructure.
But a major barrier to their success is the lack of access to affordable, secure, long-term property.
Join us to hear from a group of people who’ve been working together to rethink town centre property ownership and access, including:
- Frances Northrop. A community entrepreneur and Associate Fellow for NEF, Frances has supported multiple communities to set up trusts to acquire and manage assets for long-term local benefit
- Nalin Seneviratne. Director for City Centre Development at Sheffield City Council, Nalin has overseen large redevelopments that put community organisations at their heart
- Theo Michell. Principle at private developer Bywater Property, Theo has piloted a model that gives local people decision-making power over how local spaces are used – and on what terms
We’ll share our ideas for how we might replicate models like these around the country – and will invite your questions and feedback!
This event is a part of Platform: A town centre property innovation programme – which has brought together community entrepreneurs, councillors, council officers, and large asset owners over the past six months – to identify solutions that make it easier for community entrepreneurs to access town centre property.