The Circle @ Glasgow has more than tripled its occupancy in a year, creating a vibrant community hub in the heart of Easterhouse and transforming the former Westwood Business Centre.
Social Enterprise, The Circle, took over the almost empty building in September 2021 as part of a collaboration between the council’s Space for Growth programme and City Property. It has welcomed new businesses and community groups to Easterhouse every month despite fears of offices becoming redundant post covid and the recent cost of energy crisis. Since then, it has increased its occupancy by 250%
Charities, social enterprises and start-ups, including Action for Children, which works to alleviate childhood poverty; Financially Included, which helps women survivors of economic abuse; Scottish Pantry Network, an organisation helping communities set up local pantries to divert food away from landfills, and Social Enterprise, Glasgow Sling Library who are committed to making babywearing accessible to all, are just some of the organisations working from The Circle @ Glasgow.
Amber Cully, project manager for Financially Included, said: “It’s a real community spirit in this centre, as more tenants move in around us.” She adds, “Moving back to working in an office space after covid has been great.”
Uswitch says working in an office is more economical than working from home this winter. The Circle @ Glasgow is well-connected to public transport and offers free car parking.
“Driving into the city with the traffic each day did not appeal. The Circle offered fair value, with easy parking and a good space where I had the choice of desks,” said Paul Bussey, Owner of Digital Art Live.
Tenants can rent a desk for as little as £5 a day. Rent an office or meeting space – by the day, month, or year, without paying a deposit or expensive upfront fees. And work in an organisation dedicated to creating an energy-efficient and economical office hub.
Kirsty Thomson, Founder and CEO of The Circle, says: “The buzz in The Circle is great to see, and we’re proud to be working with Glasgow City Council and their Space for Growth programme to transform the building.”
All photography by Yulia Skulskikh