The Remote Working Opportunity: A Blueprint for Repurposing Vacant Retail Space into Hyper-Local Co-Working Hubs

Executive Summary

The United Kingdom’s urban geography is currently undergoing a seismic structural realignment, precipitated by the collision of two powerful, opposing forces: the catastrophic contraction of traditional brick-and-mortar retail in secondary towns, and the decentralized liberation of the knowledge workforce. This report posits that these twin crises—one of space, one of place—contain within them the seeds of a transformative solution. We argue for a systematic, evidence-based strategy to repurpose the growing inventory of vacant retail units in small towns and suburban catchments into hyper-local co-working hubs. This approach is not merely a stop-gap measure for distressed real estate assets; it is a foundational pillar for the "20-minute neighbourhood" and a catalyst for Community Wealth Building.

The analysis presented herein draws upon a comprehensive review of 2024-2025 real estate market data, planning legislation, and sociological research. It reveals that while prime retail locations remain resilient, the secondary high street is facing a structural vacancy rate that has settled at approximately 13% nationally, with significantly higher concentrations of distress in post-industrial and rural contexts.¹ Concurrently, the post-pandemic workforce has not returned to the central business district (CBD) in pre-2019 volumes. Instead, a "Zoomshock" effect has redistributed economic activity, creating pockets of high residential daytime occupancy in areas that historically functioned as dormitory towns.³

However, this redistribution remains economically latent. Remote workers, isolated in home environments that were never designed for professional output, are suffering from "Zoom fatigue" and social isolation, while the high streets on their doorstep wither from a lack of daytime footfall. By bridging this gap—converting the empty shop into the local office—we can unlock a "local multiplier effect," repatriating spending power from the metropolis to the municipality.

This report provides a granular blueprint for this transition. It navigates the complexities of the Scottish planning system, specifically the Permitted Development Rights allowing the conversion of Class 1A shops to Class 4 business use.⁴ It models the financial viability of such conversions, contrasting the fit-out costs in regional centers like Glasgow (£99-£243 per sq ft) against the premium yields available from flexible workspace models.⁶ Furthermore, through detailed case studies of pioneers such as the Midsteeple Quarter in Dumfries and Number 30 in Huntly, it demonstrates the efficacy of community-led regeneration models in overcoming market failure.⁸

The recommendations outlined in this document offer a pathway for local authorities, community groups, and private developers to transform liabilities into assets, creating a distributed network of economic hubs that support a healthier, wealthier, and more connected society.

1. The Anatomy of a Crisis: Structural Vacancy in the Post-Retail Age

To understand the necessity of repurposing, one must first confront the magnitude and permanence of the high street's decline. The vacancy we witness today is not a cyclical dip; it is the physical manifestation of a digital revolution that has rendered a significant portion of the UK’s retail floor space structurally obsolete.

1.1 The Great Divergence: Prime vs. Secondary Assets

The narrative of the "death of the high street" often lacks nuance. In reality, the UK real estate market is experiencing a sharp divergence. Mid-year reviews from 2025 indicate that "prime" space—high-footfall locations in major city centers and accessible retail parks—is becoming increasingly scarce, with vacancy rates in retail parks compressing to approximately 6%.¹ These locations benefit from the consolidation strategies of major national retailers, who are closing smaller branches to focus capital expenditure on fewer, larger, experiential flagship stores.

Conversely, the "secondary" high street—typified by the main streets of small market towns, suburbs, and rural service centers—is facing a crisis of relevance. Here, vacancy rates remain stubbornly elevated, often exceeding the national high street average of 13%.¹ The withdrawal of anchor tenants, such as banks and department stores, has severed the footfall arteries that once sustained smaller independent shops. In Scotland, this is exacerbated by a business rates regime that, despite some freezes, leaves medium and large premises facing a higher tax burden than their counterparts in England, actively disincentivizing traditional retail occupancy.¹⁰

The vacancy landscape is further complicated by the changing nature of consumer spending. While retail sales values have shown modest growth (partly inflationary), the volume of goods sold continues to struggle against the headwinds of the cost-of-living crisis. Retailers are burdened by a "perfect storm" of rising operating costs: employer National Insurance contributions have risen to 15%, and the National Minimum Wage has increased by 6.7% to £12.21 per hour.² For low-margin retailers in secondary locations, these structural cost increases make the traditional shop model increasingly unviable, leading to a steady drip-feed of insolvencies and lease surrenders that keeps vacancy rates elevated.

Table 1: Divergent Vacancy Trends in UK Real Estate (2024-2025)

1.2 The "Zoomshock" Phenomenon and Spatial Inequality

While the high street hollows out, the geography of work has been irrevocably altered. The pandemic induced a "Zoomshock"—a sudden, mass migration of economic activity from the office to the home. Research indicates that this shift has had highly localized effects. Cities with a high concentration of commuters, such as London, saw a massive outflow of daytime spending power, while residential suburbs and commuter towns experienced a corresponding inflow of potential demand.³

However, this potential demand has not automatically translated into local economic vitality. The "Zoomshock" data reveals a stark disparity: while locations like Bromley (a residential borough) experienced a positive aggregate shock, city centers like Leeds saw a decline in local service footfall that was 67% larger.³ The friction lies in the nature of the remote work environment. The home—often a kitchen table or a cramped bedroom—is a place of isolation, not interaction. The remote worker consumes their own electricity and makes their own coffee, bypassing the local economy entirely during the working day.

Furthermore, the "levelling up" promise of remote work—that it would distribute wealth to poorer regions—has largely failed to materialize. Highly skilled professionals have not engaged in a mass relocation to cheaper, struggling regions; instead, they have remained in or near prime commuter belts, tethered by the requirements of hybrid work patterns.¹² This means that the affluent remote workforce is present in our smaller towns, but they are invisible and economically inactive during the 9-to-5 window. The hyper-local co-working hub is the mechanism to "daylight" this workforce, bringing them out of their homes and into the town center, where their presence can support the ancillary businesses that are currently struggling.

2. The Sociological Imperative: From Isolation to Community

The argument for repurposing retail space is not solely economic; it is profoundly social. The novelty of working from home has largely dissipated, replaced for many by a pervasive sense of isolation and professional disconnection. The "home office" has become a site of "Zoom fatigue," blurring the boundaries between rest and labour, and contributing to a quiet mental health crisis.

2.1 The Mental Health Toll of Atomized Work

The shift to remote work has stripped away the social scaffolding of the workplace. The informal interactions—the "water cooler moments"—that foster a sense of belonging have been replaced by scheduled video calls. Research by the Mental Health Foundation and other bodies highlights the severity of this issue. A staggering 60% of UK adults reported that their mental health worsened during periods of isolation, and those surveyed indicated that their social lives had decreased by nearly 40% since 2020.¹³

This isolation is particularly acute for younger workers (Gen Z and Millennials) who lack the adequate home space for a dedicated office, and for whom the workplace was a primary vector for socialisation. The loss of mentorship and the inability to "learn by osmosis" in a shared environment are cited as critical deficits of the fully remote model.¹⁵

Co-working spaces offer a remedy to this "epidemic of loneliness." They provide a "third space"—distinct from the stress of the office and the familiarity of the home. Studies from University College London indicate that individuals who engage in regular social interactions in co-working environments exhibit lower stress levels and better mental health outcomes.¹⁴ By placing these hubs in local high streets, we lower the barrier to entry for social connection, allowing workers to access community without the prohibitive cost (in time and money) of a commute to the city center.

2.2 The 20-Minute Neighbourhood: Policy in Action

This sociological shift aligns perfectly with the urban planning concept of the "20-minute neighbourhood," which has been adopted as a core tenet of the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).¹⁶ The ambition is to create places where residents can access all essential services—work, education, healthcare, and retail—within a 20-minute walk or cycle from their home.

Historically, the missing component in the suburban or rural "20-minute" mix was work. These areas were designed as dormitories, necessitating a car or train journey for economic participation. By repurposing vacant retail units into workspaces, local authorities can retrofit the "work" component into existing settlements.¹⁷ This is not just a convenience; it is a decarbonization strategy. Reducing the need for daily commuting by private car directly contributes to Scotland’s net-zero targets and reduces congestion on arterial routes.¹⁸

The "local living" principle enshrined in NPF4 supports the delivery of liveable places. It explicitly encourages the reuse of existing building stock to create "compact settlement patterns," which research shows improves economic productivity and encourages greater social interaction.¹⁶ The vacant shop, therefore, is not a blight; it is the essential raw material for the sustainable, 20-minute neighbourhood.

3. The Regulatory Landscape: Navigating the Change of Use

For civic planners and community groups, the most significant perceived barrier to repurposing is often the planning system. However, the regulatory environment in Scotland has evolved significantly to facilitate exactly this type of regeneration. Understanding the nuances of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order is critical for unlocking these spaces.

3.1 The Liberalization of Use Classes

The planning system categorizes the legal use of buildings into "Classes." Historically, moving between these classes required full planning permission, a process fraught with delay, cost, and uncertainty. To combat high street decline, the Scottish Government has introduced significant flexibility.

The most relevant change is the consolidation of uses into Class 1A, which now encompasses shops, financial services, and professional services. This allows a unit to flip between being a retail shop, a travel agent, or an accountant's office without any planning application.⁴

However, a co-working hub typically falls under Class 4 (Business), which covers use as an office "for any purpose" (other than those providing services principally to visiting members of the public), research and development, or light industrial use compatible with a residential area.²⁰

3.2 Permitted Development Rights: The 300 sqm Threshold

To facilitate the transition from retail to office, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 (as amended) grants Permitted Development Rights (PDR). These rights allow for the change of use from Class 1A (Shops/Financial Services) or Class 3 (Food and Drink) to Class 4 (Business) without the need for a full planning application, subject to a critical limitation: the floor area of the building unit must not exceed 300 square metres.⁵

This 300 sqm threshold is a strategic enabler. It captures the vast majority of independent retail units on secondary high streets—the very units most likely to be vacant. It effectively removes the bureaucratic hurdle for small-scale conversions, allowing nimble operators to move quickly.

Table 2: Planning Matrix for Retail-to-Coworking Conversion (Scotland)

Data sourced from Scottish Government Planning Guidance and Savills.⁴

3.3 The Conservation Area Exception: A Critical Constraint

While PDRs offer a fast track, they are not universal. A significant proportion of the UK's struggling high streets lie within designated Conservation Areas. In these zones, Permitted Development Rights are often restricted or removed entirely to protect the historic character of the built environment.²³

If a vacant shop is located in a conservation area, or is a Listed Building, the change of use may still require planning permission, and almost certainly Listed Building Consent if any internal or external alterations are proposed. Even where the use change is permitted, external changes essential for a modern workspace—such as installing ventilation for server rooms, changing signage, or replacing single-glazed shop fronts with energy-efficient alternatives—will require planning approval.²⁵

This creates a friction point. The buildings most in need of saving (historic high street units) are the hardest to convert. Local authorities must therefore adopt a pragmatic approach, using "Local Development Orders" or providing clear, pre-approved design guides for heritage conversions to reduce the risk for developers.

4. The Economic Case: Multipliers and Community Wealth

The economic rationale for the hyper-local hub extends far beyond the P&L of the operator. It is a macroeconomic intervention that triggers a "local multiplier effect," retaining wealth within the community that would otherwise leak to the metropolis or online giants.

4.1 Capturing the Commuter Spend

Every commuter who stays local represents a repatriation of daily spending. Industry estimates suggest that an office worker spends significant sums daily on coffee, lunch, and incidental retail. When that worker commutes to a city center, that spend is exported. When they work from a local hub, it is retained.

A 50-desk co-working space in a small town can generate 50 daily footfall events for the high street. Unlike shoppers, who may visit sporadically, these workers are a consistent, daily presence. This provides a baseline of demand that supports the viability of local cafes, bakeries, and gyms.²⁶ This is the essence of Community Wealth Building—reorganizing the local economy so that expenditure circulates locally, supporting local employment and enterprise.²⁸

4.2 The Incubation Effect and Job Creation

Beyond consumption, these hubs are engines of production. They lower the barrier to entry for entrepreneurship. A start-up that cannot afford a 5-year lease on an office can afford a monthly hot-desk membership.

Data from the European Union’s business incubator studies suggests that shared workspaces can generate jobs at a fraction of the cost of traditional industrial policy. Hub Westminster, for example, generated over 1,000 jobs at a cost of just £547 per job created.²⁹ In a rural context, where business support infrastructure is often non-existent, the co-working hub becomes the de facto business center, providing a physical address, meeting space, and peer support network that nurtures micro-enterprises until they are ready to expand into larger premises.¹⁵

4.3 The Premium of Flexibility over Vacancy

For landlords, the economic case is driven by the stark reality of asset depreciation. A vacant unit is a liability: it incurs insurance costs, security risks, and deterioration. In contrast, converting to flexible workspace can unlock a significant premium.

Analysis of suburban conversions suggests that landlords can earn a premium of up to 61% on monthly rents when a co-working space is stabilized, compared to a traditional lease.⁶ This is because flexible workspace essentially "productizes" real estate—selling it as a service (by the desk/hour) rather than a commodity (by the square foot). While the operational intensity is higher, the yield potential reflects the added value provided to the tenant.

5. Operational Blueprint: From Shell to Hub

Turning a vacant shop into a professional workspace is not merely a matter of installing desks and Wi-Fi. It requires a fundamental rethinking of the building's infrastructure. Retail spaces are designed for display and transience; workspaces are designed for comfort and persistence.

5.1 Technical Infrastructure and Fit-Out Costs

The transformation of Class 1A to Class 4 requires specific technical interventions:

• IT and Connectivity: This is the lifeblood of the hub. In rural areas where fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) may be lagging, hubs must invest in leased lines or Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite solutions like Starlink to guarantee redundancy. A co-working space without bulletproof internet is a failed business.³¹
• Acoustics: Retail units often feature hard surfaces (glass, tile) that create acoustic chaos. A functional office requires acoustic baffling, carpeted zones, and soundproofed meeting pods ("Zoom booths") to separate collaborative noise from deep-work silence.³²
• Fire Safety: The occupancy density of a co-working event can exceed that of a retail store. Compliance with fire safety regulations—including emergency lighting, defined escape routes, and automated detection systems—is non-negotiable and must be upgraded from the retail standard.³¹
• Financial Modelling: The cost of fit-out varies wildly by region. In 2024/25, a low-spec fit-out in Glasgow costs approximately £99 per sq ft, rising to £164 for a medium spec and £243 for high spec. In contrast, London costs are significantly higher (£126 - £308).⁷ For a typical 1,000 sq ft unit in a Scottish town, a budget of £100,000 - £150,000 is a realistic baseline for a comprehensive refurbishment that meets modern standards.

Table 3: Estimated Fit-Out Costs for 1,000 sq ft Conversion (2025)

5.2 Business Models and Pricing Strategy

The business model for a hyper-local hub differs from the high-churn WeWork model. It relies on community stickiness and diversified revenue.

Tiered Membership Structure:

Successful Scottish hubs like Can Do Crieff and The Melting Pot utilize a tiered model:

• The "Nomad": Ad-hoc daily use (£15-£25/day). Targets freelancers and visitors.³⁴
• The "Anchor": Monthly dedicated desk (£195-£250/month). Targets the full-time remote employee who needs a permanent setup away from home.³⁴
• The "Virtual": Business address services (£25-£50/month). High margin, low footprint revenue.³⁶

Diversification:

To mitigate risk, hubs must be multi-hyphenate spaces. Meeting Room Hire is a crucial revenue stream, charging £20-£40/hour to external local businesses.37 Event Hosting in the evenings creates a secondary income stream and cements the hub as a community asset.

6. Case Studies in Regeneration: Evidence from the Ground

The theory of retail repurposing is already being tested in the laboratory of the Scottish town. The following case studies provide evidence of what works, what costs are involved, and the impact of community ownership.

6.1 Midsteeple Quarter, Dumfries: The Community as Developer

The Challenge: Dumfries High Street was suffering from a classic "absentee landlord" syndrome, with key historic buildings left to rot by distant investment funds.

The Solution: The community formed a Community Benefit Society, Midsteeple Quarter, to take ownership of the problem. They acquired a block of 17 buildings, many of them listed 18th and 19th-century structures.39

The Strategy: Rather than piecemeal renovation, they pursued a masterplan for a mixed-use neighbourhood. This involves retail on the ground floor, co-working and enterprise space on the first floors, and affordable housing on the upper levels.

The Outcome: This project has become a national exemplar for "Town Centre Living." By owning the asset, the community controls the tenant mix, ensuring that businesses align with local needs rather than just paying the highest rent. The project demonstrates that community-led development can unlock sites that the private sector deems unviable.40

6.2 Number 30, Huntly: The Department Store Reimagined

The Challenge: The closure of "Cruickshanks," a 1,250 sqm department store that had traded for 140 years, left a gaping hole in Huntly’s town square.42

The Solution: Huntly Development Trust (HDT) purchased the building using the Scottish Land Fund and secured redevelopment capital from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme.42

The Strategy: Rebranded as "Number 30," the building was redeveloped not just as a shop, but as a civic engine. It now houses a cinema, a co-working space, a retail unit for pop-ups, and a cafe.

The Outcome: The diversification de-risks the asset. The cinema drives evening footfall, the cafe serves the co-workers, and the co-workers support the retail. It is a microcosm of a functioning high street under one roof.9

6.3 Can Do Crieff: The Rural Satellite

The Challenge: Crieff is a classic commuter town, with many residents travelling to Perth, Stirling, or Glasgow.

The Solution: A simpler, lower-capital intervention. Can Do Crieff provides a professional workspace specifically targeting the "work near home" demographic.

The Strategy: A focus on simplicity. Membership is straightforward (£195/month for a fixed desk), facilities are professional but not opulent, and the selling point is community and connectivity.34

The Outcome: It demonstrates that you do not need a multi-million pound renovation to start. A functional, well-connected space can be viable in a smaller catchment if the overheads are managed carefully.

7. Financial Viability & Funding Pathways

While the operational model can be sustainable, the initial capital expenditure (CAPEX) for acquisition and fit-out often creates a "viability gap" in secondary locations where property values are low. Public funding is therefore a critical catalyst.

7.1 The Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP)

The Scottish Government has committed £325 million over five years to the Place Based Investment Programme.⁴⁴ This capital fund is distributed to local authorities to support projects that deliver on the 20-minute neighbourhood ambition and Community Wealth Building.

• Application: Projects like Number 30 in Huntly successfully leveraged this fund to cover the heavy CAPEX of renovating historic fabric.⁴²
• Focus: The fund prioritizes projects that demonstrate community benefit, making it ideal for hubs that include public amenities or are community-owned.

7.2 The Community Ownership Fund (COF)

The UK-wide Community Ownership Fund is a vital resource for acquiring assets. It has awarded over £22 million to 57 projects in Scotland.⁴⁵

• Mechanism: It provides matched funding for community groups to buy assets at risk of loss (e.g., a shop about to be auctioned or left vacant).
• Strategic Fit: For groups looking to replicate the Midsteeple Quarter model, the COF provides the acquisition capital, allowing them to secure the freehold and remove the risk of rent hikes or eviction.⁴⁶

8. Strategic Recommendations

The "Remote Working Opportunity" is a tangible pathway to regenerating the UK’s secondary high streets. It solves a real estate problem (vacancy) with a workforce problem (isolation). However, it requires coordinated action.

8.1 For Local Authorities

• Proactive PDR Promotion: actively market the Class 1A to Class 4 Permitted Development Rights to owners of vacant units. Create "fast-track" design guides for conservation areas to reduce planning friction.
• Rates Innovation: Implement discretionary business rates relief for co-working hubs that function as business incubators, recognizing their role in job creation.
• Anchor Tenancy: Local Councils should lead by example. Instead of consolidating staff into out-of-town HQs, they should rent desks in local hubs for their own remote staff, providing guaranteed base revenue for the operator.

8.2 For Community Groups & Developers

• Ownership is Key: Wherever possible, pursue asset ownership (via COF) rather than leasing. Ownership secures the long-term future of the hub and ensures that capital appreciation benefits the community.
• Hybrid Revenue Models: Do not rely on desk rent alone. Build a business model that includes virtual offices, meeting room hire, and event hosting to smooth out cash flow.
• Prioritize Infrastructure: In the fit-out budget, prioritize IT and acoustics over aesthetics. A hub with slow internet or noisy Zoom calls will fail, regardless of how nice the coffee is.

8.3 For Central Government

• Extend PDR: Consider increasing the PDR threshold from 300 sqm to 500 sqm to allow for slightly larger, more viable hub sizes in market towns.
• Tax Incentives: Introduce tax credits for employers who pay for their remote employees to use local co-working hubs, framing it as a mental health and green transport initiative.

Conclusion

The high street of the past—dominated by retail chains and purely transactional relationships—is gone. It is not coming back. But the high street of the future can be something far more resilient. By repurposing the empty shells of the retail age into the engines of the remote work revolution, we can create towns that are not just places to sleep, but places to live, work, and thrive. The blueprint exists; the funding exists; the demand exists. It is now a matter of execution.

Works cited

1. Retail | CBRE UK, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.cbre.co.uk/insights/books/uk-real-estate-market-outlook-mid-year-review-2025/retail
2. Spotlight: Shopping Centre and High Street – Q3 2025 - Savills, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.savills.com/research_articles/255800/382665-0
3. Zoomshock - The effects of working from home: How working from home will affect local neighbourhoods - Royal Economic Society, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://res.org.uk/mediabriefing/zoomshock-the-effects-of-working-from-home-how-working-from-home-will-affect-local-neighbourhoods/
4. Changing the use of a building or land, and use classes - Fife Council, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/planning-and-building2/planning/development-plan-and-planning-guidance/planning-guidance/change-of-use-and-use-classes2
5. Guide to Use Classes Order in Scotland - Dumfries and Galloway Council, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-07/Building_and_land_Use_Classes.pdf
6. How to convert retail, industrial, and commercial offices to coworking/flex space. | DenSwap, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.denswap.com/property-owners/how-to-convert-retail-industrial-and-commercial-offices-to-coworking-flex-space/
7. UK Office Fit Out Cost Guide 2025: Price Analysis & Insights | GB - Cushman & Wakefield, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/united-kingdom/insights/office-fit-out-cost-guide
8. Midsteeple Quarter, Dumfries Masterplan, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-08/Midsteeple_Quarter_Masterplan_LDP2_Nov_2019.pdf
9. Historic Huntly building reopens as a vibrant new facility following major redevelopment, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.janecraigie.com/historic-huntly-building-reopens-as-a-vibrant-new-facility-following-major-redevelopment/
10. Rates inaction risks Scottish high streets - British Retail Consortium, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://brc.org.uk/news-and-events/news/corporate-affairs/2025/ungated/rates-inaction-risks-scottish-high-streets/
11. Spotlight: Shopping Centre and High Street – Q2 2025 - Savills, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/379775-0
12. Post-Covid home working has failed to level up UK economy, study finds - The Guardian, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/may/15/covid-pandemic-home-working-careers-uk-economy
13. How coworking space helps combat loneliness - Headspace Group, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.headspacegroup.co.uk/how-coworking-space-helps-combat-loneliness/
14. How Co-Working Spaces Support Mental Health And Well-Being - Landmark, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://landmarkoffices.co.uk/how-co-working-spaces-support-mental-health-and-well-being/
15. How Local Coworking Spaces Become Catalysts for Community Impact - Nexudus, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://nexudus.com/blog/how-local-coworking-spaces-become-catalysts-for-community-impact/
16. Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods: planning guidance - gov.scot, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-planning-guidance-local-living-20-minute-neighbourhoods/
17. 20-minute neighbourhoods in a Scottish context - MACC Hub, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://macchub.co.uk/?case-study=20-minute-neighbourhoods-in-a-scottish-context
18. RTPI Scotland's Response to 'Local Living and 20-Minute Neighbourhoods: Draft Planning Guidance' Consultation, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the-rtpi/rtpi-scotlands-response-to-local-living-and-20-minute-neighbourhoods-draft-planning-guidance-consultation/
19. Quick Guide to Use Classes and Permitted Changes of Use | Edinburgh, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/34675/quick-guide-to-changes-of-use
20. The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997 - Legislation.gov.uk, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3061
21. Summary of use classes and permitted changes of use | North Lanarkshire Council, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-applications/check-if-you-need-planning-permission/change-use/summary-use-classes-and-permitted-changes-use
22. 3. Changes of Use in Centres - Planning - permitted development rights review - phase 2: consultation - gov.scot, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.gov.scot/publications/review-permitted-development-rights-phase-2-consultation/pages/3/
23. Cookies on Legislation.gov.uk - The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/223/schedule/1
24. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2014 - Legislation.gov.uk, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2014/142
25. When is permission required? - GOV.UK, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-is-permission-required
26. How Co-Working Spaces Boost Local Economy & Business Growth, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.createbusinesshub.co.uk/how-co-working-spaces-boost-local-economy-and-business-growth/
27. Coworking can help revive and transform Scotland's communities, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://scotlandstowns.org/coworking-can-help-revive-and-transform-scotlands-communities/
28. Community Wealth Building and active travel - Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/our-blog/research/community-wealth-building-and-active-travel-a-practical-vision-for-thriving-communities/
29. THE VALUE OF WORKSPACES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, ENTREPRENEURS AND ARTISTS IN LONDON, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/valueofworkspace-ippr2016.pdf
30. Annex A – Overview of CWB Activity in Scotland - Building community wealth: consultation, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-community-wealth-scotland-consultation-paper/pages/5/
31. Basic Legal Requirements for Starting a Coworking Space - DesqWorx, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.desqworx.com/blog/basic-legal-requirements-for-starting-a-coworking-space/
32. Office Fit Out Cost Guide 2025 | US - Cushman & Wakefield, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/united-states/insights/office-fit-out-cost-guide
33. Phased Construction: Keeping Coworking Spaces Operational During Renovations, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.structuresinsider.com/post/phased-construction-keeping-coworking-spaces-operational-during-renovations
34. Join us - membership information - Can Do Crieff, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.candocrieff.com/prices/
35. Co-work, hot-desk and network at the Rockfield, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.therockfieldcentre.org.uk/coworking-and-hotdesking
36. Top 6 Coworking Spaces In Edinburgh (With Perks & Prices), accessed on December 14, 2025, https://coworkingmag.com/united-kingdom/coworking-space-edinburgh/
37. The Hive, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.hiveoffice.com/
38. Scotland's Evolving Coworking Landscape: Glasgow, Edinburgh & Aberdeen Lead the Way in Q2, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.fintechscotland.com/scotlands-evolving-coworking-landscape-glasgow-edinburgh-aberdeen-lead-the-way-in-q2/
39. Midsteeple Quarter - The Architectural Heritage Fund, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://ahfund.org.uk/projects/midsteeple-quarter/
40. Dumfries Urban Capacity Study, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-05/Dumfries-Urban-Capacity-Study-2024.pdf
41. MSPs hail community action and vision in Dumfries - Midsteeple Quarter, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.midsteeplequarter.org/news/m2r77q238xw3pqxt4gr7sk76ktk62u
42. Number 30 - Huntly Development Trust, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.huntlydt.org/what-we-do/number-30
43. CanDoCrieff - Uniting Crieff, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.unitingcrieff.org.uk/database/candocrieff/
44. Place Based Investment Programme - North Ayrshire Council, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/your-community/community-funding/pbip
45. Community Ownership Fund support and advice - MyCommunity, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://mycommunity.org.uk/community-ownership-fund
46. Community Ownership Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-ownership-fund-prospectus
47. All you need to know about the Community Ownership Fund - Charity Bank, accessed on December 14, 2025, https://www.charitybank.org/news/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-community-ownership-fund/