UP TO £35,000 will be spent on work hubs by North Somerset Council to help ‘get the economy moving’.

A decision to spend the cash from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund was made by executive member Cllr Elfan Ap Rees and could mean people are using the hubs by March.

Work hubs can be used by sole traders to get their business started a little more cheaply and enable them to use desk space and facilities for as long as they wish.

The North Somerset Enterprise Agency, based in Oldmixon Crescent, has expressed an interest to run hubs from its new centre The Hive.

Agency chairman Terry Gilbert said: “We have people come to us who are starting up and need a base. The hubs will not have long-term leases attached and that gives people lots more freedom.

“It will not be a noose around their neck and if they then want to expand and want a bigger office we can then give them that as there are a variety of sizes.”

The hubs, which are currently being promoted by Microsoft’s Anywhere Working initiative, offer an alternative space to working from home, which can often have distractions.

Office rents are generally paid by the hour, day, week or month rather than tying a business into a long lease period.

Mr Gilbert said while the hubs are a helpful addition to the business world, he does not think it will instantly increase the number of people who want to start up a company.

He said: “These hubs are more for people who are setting up a business but do not know where to do it. The number of people who want an office has not increased, but with time it could lead to that.”

The council’s executive decision report stated: “There is an opportunity to innovate within this worthwhile work area, fulfilling the LSTF’s objectives of promoting growth, sustainability, employment and getting the economy moving.”

There will be an open evening at the Helicopter Museum on November 21 at 6pm where people can pre-book the work hubs.