SMALL BUSINESS STUDY

Location: Edinburgh

Client: City of Edinburgh Council

Programme: Completed 2006

SSM were commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council to carry out a study addressing the issue of rising property values leading to the demise of inner city business premises. The reasons for this are many and varied; changing lifestyles, shifting demographic and economic patterns all contribute, but one of the key issues appears to be the gradual reduction in the supply of suitable premises.

This study was envisaged as a focused extension of a previous report taking existing information and endeavouring to point towards innovative solutions. SSM’s study develops this understanding through a design investigation of the constraints and opportunities provided by this situation.

A number of concepts were put forward based upon a theme of creating a hierarchy of integration; moving from the type of facilities which can be easily integrated into the general city pattern through to those which must essentially be removed from it and allowed to create their own context.

There is no single solution to the provision of business premises, rather a range of approaches to suit various locations and users. These ideas can only be the beginning of developing an approach to retaining vital business activities within the city.