New multi-sector enterprise hub to launch in Dundee former skills centre
City charities, social enterprises and businesses are to benefit from the creation of a new community hub in Dundee.
Dewar House on Staffa Place, which formerly housed the Claverhouse Group, is to become known as The Circle as it is transformed into office, co-working and event space. The Circle launches in late November and the building will be developed in phases.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kirsty Thomson, says that finding affordable work space is a challenge for organisations in the city. “As Managing Director of Along Came Kirsty, I have encountered dozens of organisations that are working in isolation as well as struggling to pay rent and overheads. By having these groups co-located we can reduce the cost of their workspaces by sharing a reception, meeting rooms and the cost of infrastructure such as high-speed internet access. By bringing organisations together we also create a hub of activity and important interactions between charities, social enterprises and businesses. We believe that housing different sectors together will promote collaboration and foster innovation which helps the whole community by improving the social outcomes of organisations.”
As well as providing spaces for organisations to work, The Circle, will be host to a social enterprise café, community gardens and event space for community groups.
Kirsty adds, “We are not only providing office space but a venue for events in the true heart of Dundee, that is the area north of the Kingsway where communities often live and work away from the city centre. We encourage cultural organisations to host events with us to broaden access to attractions that often take place in the city centre and present a cost and opportunity barrier for many to access. We are grateful to the building owner, Bruce Linton of James Keiller Estates, to seeing the potential of such a venture to deliver social benefits to the community and breathe new life into a mostly vacant building that previously helped thousands of Dundonians into work.”
Along Came Kirsty, Apex Scotland, Arnold’s Catering, Ashton McGill, Fields in Trust, Prestige Training and Rathbone are already based in the building. Other groups in the city already hire meeting rooms in the building to run training sessions and meetings.
The Circle will officially be launched at a party on Friday 25th November at 3pm by local MSP, Jenny Marra. For enquiries about offices and bookings contact Facilities & Services Development Manager, Nicola Donnelly on [email protected]
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