00:00 An open access factory is a place that we've designed which shares resources and in terms
00:08 of a factory it shares resources that are needed for people who make things.
00:12 So we provide access to cutting edge machinery.
00:16 It's giving everybody access to the tools that are usually hidden behind big factory
00:21 walls.
00:22 And we do this to sustain new businesses, to sustain ongoing businesses, to sustain
00:28 freelancers who sometimes are working on site, off site.
00:32 With backing from the Mayor of London and sitting on an advisory board for Make UK,
00:37 this award winning site in London offers a new route to manufacturing.
00:42 The award winning site houses light industrial equipment, catering for a range of professional
00:48 makers.
00:49 The fact that we have now over 700 individuals and firms who are actively using blocks and
00:58 that's makers and manufacturers of all kinds.
01:02 We're growing every year now by about 40% plus every year.
01:07 So this has been a real amazing journey because our community is growing absolutely every
01:15 year.
01:16 Our community is putting about £15 million into the local economy every year as well.
01:22 So I think those are some indicators as to how successful the community and how successful
01:28 the business is.
01:29 Well we've seen the pay as you go model in office space with companies such as WeWork.
01:35 However setting up an industrial business is normally at a much higher level of difficulty.
01:41 In this site behind me over £1.3 million worth of equipment is offered on a pay as
01:47 you go basis.
01:49 It's allowed companies based here access to machinery normally beyond their budgets.
01:55 We do join WeWork, like traditional bars for pubs, we do shop fronts.
02:02 I've been with blocks for a while now, it's the flexibility.
02:05 I mean I don't have to pay rent when I'm not working, I don't have to, I don't have overheads.
02:12 The environment is lovely, everyone is friendly, I can access all the machinery that I need.
02:19 A collaborative community has emerged at the site which also offers training opportunities
02:24 to those who work there.
02:26 It's a model that's allowed small businesses to grow faster.
02:30 Its founders believe the model could also benefit parts of the UK that are in need of
02:35 regeneration.
02:37 We've seen a lot of people who've made significant differences to their lives using this facility.
02:42 We'd really like to expand.
02:44 It's a means by which we can innovate and have an impact on how it is that we look at
02:49 the industrial revolution which is going on around us at the moment.
02:52 It's going to be useful in cities right across the UK so we are actively looking right across
02:57 the country for anyone and to work with anyone who would like one of these facilities set
03:03 up in their community.
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