Social enterprise unveils plans for new hub in Glasgow

15/06/2021
Westwood Business Centre in Easterhouse

DUNDEE-based social enterprise, Circle Scotland CIC, is expanding its operations to a second site, this time in Glasgow. The organisation is taking over the Westwood Business Centre in Easterhouse and will be opening its doors to the community and local businesses later this Summer.

The Circle launched its first hub in Dundee in 2016, initially offering affordable offices, co-working space, community spaces and meeting and event spaces. It also provides consultancy and business support as well as a training programme for social entrepreneurs known as The Circle Academy; these are available to clients across the country. The Circle is now looking to expand into further sites, like the one in Glasgow, to create more hubs where organisations can collaborate to pool resources and find new creative ways to work.

The Circle is working in partnership with Glasgow City Council as part of the Space for Growth scheme, a set of initiatives provided by Glasgow City Council and City Property to offer assistance to start-up businesses, social organisations, creative organisations and community groups in gaining affordable accommodation. Having seen the success of The Circle’s model over the past four years and how its vision aligns with the aims of the scheme, the local authority recognised an opportunity to work together for the benefit of local residents and organisations.

The new hub will, like the existing Dundee space, offer a range of affordable office space as well as meeting and event spaces for hire, and space for community events, supporting the growth and sustainability of a range of organisations and encourage collaboration for the benefit of the organisations, the local economy and the wider community. The Circle is recruiting people from the Glasgow area to join the staff team as it expands into the Easterhouse site.

Founder and CEO, Kirsty Thomson says,

“We’ve always wanted to run hubs in multiple locations and now, after operating in Dundee for almost five years now we’re confident that we’ve have created a model we can replicate. We’re very excited for this next step in our development and to expand our community.”

Councillor Angus Millar, Depute Convener for Inclusive Economic Growth at Glasgow City Council, says

“It is fantastic that the Council’s partnership with The Circle as part of the Space for Growth programme has resulted in the group taking over the Westwood Business Centre, supporting access to space and facilities for social enterprises, third sector and community organisations. That this move will create new job opportunities here in Glasgow is great news for the city’s social economy and the local community who will benefit.”

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