Ealing Council has published a new plan to increase the supply of affordable workspace across the borough’s seven towns, aiming to support startups and small businesses facing rising commercial rents.
Affordable workspace includes offices, shops and industrial units offered to local firms, charities and social projects at below-market rates for at least 15 years. The council said smaller enterprises, which make up 99 per cent of Ealing’s economy, are struggling with rising costs that are forcing some to relocate or close.
Charlie Mitchell, chief executive of Sciopolis, a company developing ready-to-occupy laboratory and office facilities for science and technology firms, said: “Whilst London is one of the best places in the world for science and technology innovation, the cost of lab space is often very high, and it can price out the very people who drive scientific progress. Science and innovation should not be held back by real estate.”
Sciopolis is creating new workspace at 1 Portal Way in Old Oak, which is expected to open in June 2026. The site is in the Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area and forms part of WestTech London, a research and technology hub involving Imperial College London.
Mr Mitchell said the project aims to provide cost effective space and better access to investors and collaborators.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said the the council wants local businesses “not only to survive, but to grow and thrive”.
She added: “The lack of affordable workspaces risks pushing companies out of the borough or, in the worst cases, out of business. This is why we are introducing our affordable workspace delivery plan, which will create more places where businesses can flourish and offer good, well paid jobs to our residents.”
