BRCC was funded through the Investing in Communities Partnership in 2007/08 to carry out a feasibility study into potential multi-use centres across urban and rural areas of Bedfordshire & Luton.

The ongoing efficiency drive in both public and private sectors has led to a decline in service provision in more outlying areas, both urban and rural. This has contributed in some instances to multiple deprivation. The multi-use approach aims to reduce these barriers by finding ways of delivering services more locally in a way that is economically viable.

The development of multi-use centres also offers the opportunity to address barriers to access to employment, through providing business premises (including spaces for direct service delivery by local enterprises, as well as office space) nearer to people’s homes. They could also facilitate the provision of business support services, particularly for the social enterprise sector.

Throughout Bedfordshire and Luton there is an extensive network of public and community buildings with the potential for multi-use. This includes local authority assets, schools, village halls and church buildings.

Download the study (to follow) or the Executive Summary (to follow).