Icehouse Court Creative Workspace

ICEHOUSE COURT CREATIVE WORKSPACE The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham is seeking bids to market, operate and manage a dedicated creative workspace in the heart of its creative quarter recently branded the Icehouse Quarter. The space is aimed at growing the creative industry sector within the borough, attracting new creative start up and existing businesses.

PROJECT OUTLINE The size of the space is 492m² (5295sqft) which can be used flexibly according to user requirements. The units have access to two common corridors housing a kitchen and WC facilities.

The building will be fitted out to a basic standard by the Council. The key objectives of the Abbey Road Creative Workspace include: 1.

Comprehensive marketing campaign for the new space 2. Maximise occupation rate with a viable business plan covering all costs 3.

Establish new creative industry start up businesses 4. Provide a facilities management service to the workspace, reflecting the business needs of the creative start up sector 5.

Attract external funding 6. Provide mentoring and support to new and emerging creative businesses 7.

Deliver a creative buzz for the site (this may be creative business classes, workshops, events, exhibitions and talks for local residents/young people) 8. work closely with the Icehouse Quarter to support their occupation rates The purpose of the project is to grow the creative industry sector as well as supporting businesses and creating jobs which will deliver one of the borough’s priorities to “grow the borough” and invest in creative industries centred on the Icehouse Quarter. BUDGET The space is currently provided to shell and core and a fit out budget will be provided.

Subject to delivery of the objectives the first two years’ rent will be refunded. All other running costs are to be provided by the successful bidder. The deadline for tender responses is 12 noon Friday 24th April 2015.