A FLEXIBLE workspace looks set to come to Tiverton in a move that is hoped will support small businesses and encourage start-ups.

It will be based in a former drop-in centre in Newport Street after planners gave the green light to the proposal.

Mid Devon District Council submitted plans for a change of use for the building, which had been vacant since 2022 after a community hub closed down.

Before that, the building operated as a youth drop-in centre between 1995 and 2018, but closed due to lack of funding and reducing use, although a similar service still runs at a youth centre on Park Hill near the town’s Exe Valley leisure centre.

Cllr Steve Keable (Liberal Democrat, Taw Vale) cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said the council had “long held an aspiration” to develop a flexible workspace, where people can hire desks for the day or rent their own small office space.

“We know that in other towns, work hubs support the regeneration of towns by bringing in footfall as the workers use local facilities, and the hubs themselves support start-ups and growth,” he said.

“We see this as an opportunity to provide this for Tiverton, and believe it will compliment and not compete with existing offers in the district.”

Cllr Keable said the hub would be useful for remote workers and the self-employed, enable users to network with other professionals, and offer hot-desk facilities as well as studio offices and confidential booths.

“The building is a unique asset, and its low market rent value means that it is ideally placed for a low-income opportunity to support multiple businesses, and we could not provide this opportunity from any other building.”

The council said it had canvassed people in the town for their views on the proposal, and that of the 69 responses, 21 wanted to reserve a desk, 29 wanted to become members with 24/7 access and 13 potentially wanted to rent their own office.

A council officer said this level of interest would “already exceed the numbers required to make it a success”.

One slightly controversial aspect of the plan was that it would involve removing four nearby parking spaces, partly to create an outside seating area and bike parking.

Some felt that the loss of parking spaces was a negative point to the plan, however, others stated that other car parks were available nearby, and also that having fewer spaces near the building could encourage users to walk or cycle.

The planning committee voted in favour of the scheme, with only chair Les Cruwys (Liberal Democrat, Tiverton Cranmore) against, and Cllr Ben Holdman (Liberal Democrat, Tiverton Castle) abstaining.

Bradley Gerrard