A new facility for Scottish businesses to use as a hub in London has had a “phenomenal response” since Scottish Enterprise began a ‘soft recruitment’ process earlier this month. Scotland House (on Victoria Embankment) aims
to give Scottish companies with no base in the capital a place to work, meet and hold events.

Within two weeks of the location being revealed (on 1 March) and a Web site launched with some basic information, Scottish Enterprise (www.scottish-enterprise.com) had received more than 200 enquires. It is hoped that membership packages will be available by the end of this month and that the doors will open in the week after Easter.

Mark Hallan, head of EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) at Scotland Development International, said: “The aim is that Scotland House will be the focal point for Scotland’s engagement with London — and with the world.

“We’re essentially targeting those organisations that don’t have access to their own space down here, and that includes our ambitious SMEs. The concept is to allow members to rent ‘hot desks’, so they can spend a certain number of days a year based in London. Meeting and event spaces can also be rented.”

“The hub will start with 25-30 ‘hot desks’; and while the acquisition of the lease and necessary refurbishment was paid for by public funds, it is hoped that the facility will be self-sustaining.

“Our role is to continue to focus on identifying and delivering growth opportunities for Scotland. There is a massive, important and significant market here in London.

“Scotland’s exports to the rest of the UK are just shy of £50 billion, and it’s safe to assume that a significant amount of that will end up in London and the South East.”