News & Features

Britain's 50 New Radicals

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1. 3Space

3Space takes empty commercial properties and makes them available to charities, community groups, community organisations, and social enterprise for temporary projects free of charge.

It was started in 2010 by Henry Mason and Andrew Cribb. Before joining forces, Henry worked in financial services while Andrew held a senior position at the London Development Agency.

3Space acts as an intermediary to save individual charities the difficulty of negotiating directly with landlords for short term use of individual properties. Taking on a portfolio of properties, it works with local councils and CVS groups and uses social media to find non-profit organisations in need of space.

Along with The Big Issue, The British Heart Foundation, MIND, and FoodCycle, 3Space has worked with many small charities, social enterprises, and community groups. Property is leased on a 'meanwhile' basis as the landlord searches for commercial users.

3Space is also helping landlords by reducing legislative burden and negotiation issues. Increasing and promoting the charitable use of property across the UK, 3Space is helping empower communities and increase public benefit.

In 2011, 3Space launched 'High Street Hijack', a competition where non-profit organisations could win the opportunity to 'hijack' an empty retail unit for a pop-up project. The winning project gained free use of an empty retail unit and a grant of £1,500 to facilitate a project of benefit to the surrounding community.

Judge's Comments

Alicia Navarro says:

"3Space is a complete win-win. It doesn't cost anyone money and the city/town itself benefits from looking alive and dynamic, as well as being exposed to the great work of local community groups."