The economy of Ealing is heavily reliant on small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs, which make up 99 per cent of the borough’s economy.
However, rising rents are forcing many to leave or shut down. In response, Ealing Council has introduced a new affordable workspace delivery plan to create more accessible workspaces in the borough’s seven towns. This plan aims to provide commercial spaces, such as offices and shops, at below-market rates for at least 15 years, benefiting local businesses, charities, and social projects.
The council’s strategy includes supporting local entrepreneurs, collaborating with partners to bolster key industries, and facilitating developers and workspace providers in offering affordable spaces.
Charlie Mitchell, chief executive officer of Sciopolis, highlights the importance of affordable lab and office space for science and technology companies. He said: “Science and innovation shouldn’t be held back by real estate.”
Sciopolis is developing a site at 1 Portal Way in Old Oak, part of the WestTech London innovation ecosystem, to provide cost-effective, ready-to-occupy spaces for scientists and technologists.
Mitchell emphasises the need for accessible locations for researchers and startups, noting that compromising on location can hinder scientific progress. The life sciences sector, identified as a growth area in the council’s jobs and skills strategy, will benefit from these initiatives. By offering attractive rental rates, Sciopolis aims to keep scientists focused on research and innovation. Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal underscores the council’s commitment to helping businesses thrive, stating that affordable workspaces are crucial for preventing companies from leaving the borough or going out of business.
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Really good point, the article nails it: real estate really shouldn’t block innovation, especially when startups and science companies depend on flexible, affordable workspaces. By making space more accessible for innovators, councils and developers aren’t just supporting business, they’re helping build a future-ready economy.
This is a smart and much-needed move by Ealing. Affordable workspace isn’t just a “nice to have”, it’s the foundation that lets small businesses, researchers, and innovators actually stay and grow in the borough. When rent becomes the biggest barrier to progress, everyone loses. It’s great to see the council and groups like Sciopolis taking real steps to make sure talent doesn’t get priced out of opportunity.
This is an important reminder that real estate should support, not restrict, innovation. Rising costs and rigid space models often limit opportunities for startups and creative sectors, so embracing flexible workspaces, mixed-use developments, and modern PropTech solutions can make a huge difference. When developers and local authorities prioritize affordability, adaptability, and collaboration, they help create environments where new ideas and small businesses can grow, ultimately strengthening the wider community and economy.