Places for London, Transport for London’s (TfL) property arm, has launched its Places for Growth scheme at Lockton Street Arches in North Kensington, a run of 11 arches near Latimer Road Tube station that are currently being refurbished.
The first site of its kind under the Places for Growth programme, the arches form part of a wider plan to support new and expanding businesses with affordable workspaces, starting at discounted rent and gradually rising to market rates over four years.
The scheme will provide tenants with tailored support from Portobello Business Centre, Grow London Local and Places for London.
Jo Fisher, head of arches at Places for London, said: “We’re hugely excited to open applications for our Places for Growth programme at Lockton Street Arches.
“We know that some businesses struggle to access space, and this is not down to their ambition or business plans.
“We want to provide a pipeline of new, growing businesses across London, and our Places for Growth initiative will see us supporting a wide range of entrepreneurs to join us and support the city.”
The arches are being refurbished to meet modern environmental standards, with each space set to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘B’ once complete.
The scheme encourages applications from a range of businesses, including those seeking their first standalone commercial premises or businesses planning to scale up.
Applicants will be assessed based on their business plan, proximity to the arches and potential contribution to the local area.
Places for London manages space for more than 1,500 businesses, 95 per cent of which are small or medium-sized enterprises.
It reinvests all income back into London’s transport network, supporting growth across the capital and its communities.
In 2024 alone, it delivered £440 million of economic and social value to London.
One of its success stories, Zie Coffee & Co, began operating from Rayners Lane station in 2022 and has since expanded to two additional locations.
The Lockton Street Arches project is expected to deliver similar long-term benefits by creating jobs and contributing to the local economy.
Businesses will be able to move in during winter 2026-27.
