AN affordable office space for businesses,community and church groups is being created in Didcot as part of an Oxfordshire-wide programme.

“Meanwhile in Oxfordshire” is a project started by community interest company, Makespace Oxford, which aims to convert vacant units across the county into independent shops, cultural venues, creative studios and co-working spaces.

Oxfordshire City Council developed the programme with £1.9m of funding from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.

Soha Housing has partnered with Makespace Oxford to let out its unused office space, Royal Scot House in Station Road, for three-years.

The housing association no longer uses the space since it moved to a “hybrid” working model.

Lee Hayward, Soha Housing’s director of property services, said: “The principle of Meanwhile in Oxfordshire aligns absolutely with Soha’s ethos.

“Giving purpose-led organisations the springboard to succeed in the Didcot area is an extension of our approach to making positive and sustainable impact in the neighbourhoods where our residents live.”

Penny Lawrence, strategic director of Makespace Oxford, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Soha as an enlightened landlord letting a newly refurbished, formerly vacant office and community hall.

“We hope this will be a shining light for Didcot to demonstrate how empty buildings can be transformed into affordable workspace and community hubs which benefit the local community and the local economy.”