Hi y'all

I went to a viewing and for a chat with Outer Spaces on Tuesday, it seemed like it might be useful to share thoughts and notes from it.

If you've not heard of Outer Spaces, they're a scottish charity that places artists and creatives in empty commercial space.  It's a really good scheme, with benefits all round.  For more info, see outerspaces.org

Just to mention up front, 57N is not looking to move any time soon.  This was just me trying to understand more about the scheme and to meet the people involved.  For home hunting history, see the wiki at https://wiki.57north.org.uk/doku.php?id=possible_future_space with notes from 2019.

They have a mailing list, and email out when spaces become available.  Last week they emailed out about an office block at the west end of Union St called Holburn House, see https://mailchi.mp/58365edcad95/31-32-westside-plaza-wester-hailes-9322281?e=bea270a826  I went to a public viewing on Tuesday afternoon, there were about 30 people there.

There is a mixed bag of photos at....
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W9XhLvMCFbRYn7xqTfLDqmF1BybDcarb?usp=sharing

About holburn house:
- Holburn house is 3/4 empty, there is 1600m2 available over 3 floors.
- Underground parking is available
- It has keypad entry
- They do not allow "hot works", like soldering, laser cutting, kilns etc
- They don't allow dusty work, like plaster, cutting wood, etc
- You can't put up partitions
- There are no separate lockable spaces
- energy bill are included, within reason
- wifi is not included
- loo roll, cleaning etc is not included

How the Outer Spaces generally works:
- You can apply for space as a group or individual
- They also have filled offices in Dyce and Westhill
- They also have shops and food venues available sometimes
- PPL is required, but is available from £4p/m
- Tenants are guaranteed minimum 7 days notice if the space finds a commercial tenant
- The people running it seem spot on, plain-speaking and helpful
- More spaces will come up soon
- Other set-ups are possible, could be discussed

I will keep following what's being done by Outer Spaces, and share anything interesting with the mailing list.

Hope that's all semi-useful/helpful.  Any thoughts or queries, just reply here.

Cheers
Andy