Lib Dems delighted as Jubilee Square’s commercial tenants get to work

The Liberal Democrats have celebrated the arrival of Co-Space, a fast growing, young business services company, which has taken up occupation of the five floor block they have rented from SADC at the Jubilee Square development in the city centre.

On inheriting this project from the previous Conservative administration in 2019, the Liberal Democrats made the decision to re-design the building to attract the top end of the commercial market. 

Based on the site’s superb city centre location and the types of fast-growing businesses likely to be attracted to it, the Liberal Democrat administration identified the opportunity to increase footfall into the city centre, whilst also ensuring good commercial neighbours for the social tenants living in the nearby blocks. 

This has proven to be the right decision given the type of commercial tenants that have moved in to date.

It is expected that around 300 people will use this block as their new workspace. This will greatly increase footfall in city centre shops and hospitality venues, further enhancing the already thriving High Street area.

Paul de Kort, Liberal Democrat Leader of St Albans City & District Council, Jacqui Taylor, Liberal Democrat Councillor and Lead for on Sustainability, Climate and Housing Delivery and Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat MP for St Albans, attended the launch event (on Friday 21 November), where they spoke with the two entrepreneurs behind Co-Space about the range of clients they are attracting here.

Paul said:

“It’s fantastic to see the hard work of Liberal Democrat councillors pay off, as we welcome Co-Space to our Jubilee Square development. 

“We Liberal Democrats will always support local businesses and local residents. This development does both, providing city centre spaces for businesses to operate and thrive, alongside much-needed affordable and social housing.”

Daisy said:

“It’s brilliant to see our Lib Dem council use this new development to back businesses - both those operating from Jubilee Square, and those across our city centre.

“St Albans businesses are struggling with high costs and tax hikes resulting from flawed government policies so extra footfall right now could really help.”

The beginning of the occupation of the commercial space follows that of 93 separate households who moved into the sustainable living quarters that straddle the two commercial blocks, providing a mixed living environment. The local Liberal Democrats insisted that 33 of these homes were made available at social rent levels, given that alleviating the local housing crisis is such a central priority for the party.