Work is now set to begin on what is hoped to become a small-business enterprise hub that will house dozens of start-up companies operating across North Somerset and southern England.
A total of around 20,000 square feet of office space is expected to be made available to rent once the development work is completed, while non-resident businesses will always have access to meeting rooms, and all IT facilities are to be made communal.
Chief executive of the North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA) Angela Hicks said: “We are delighted that North Somerset Council has approved plans to bring a much-needed enterprise hub to North Somerset, where start-up and growing businesses can access all the facilities, advice and support they need to grow, literally on their doorstep.”
As many as 60 companies could soon be getting their start-up businesses off the ground with the help of the managed office space at ‘The Hive’, and the NSEA has made it clear that it intends to start operating directly from the site once work on phase 1 of the project is completed in early 2012.
With Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) assessment measures in mind, the managed offices have been designed to incorporate a variety of energy-saving and sustainability features, including roof-mounted solar panels and natural ventilation to reduce the need for air-conditioning systems.
Editor’s notes: When The Hive was assessed by the Building Research Establishment, it achieved ‘Excellent’ accreditation.
In 2023, The Hive is carbon-neutral and working towards net zero by 2030. It is also working towards B Corp accreditation.
Organisations achieve B Corp status by meeting certain standards relating to performance, accountability, and transparency across factors such as employee benefits, charitable giving, and compliance with Living Wage levels, as well as measuring social impact.
The Hive also offers meeting rooms for hire, virtual office support services, and hot-desking solutions in its business lounge.
The Hive in Weston-super-Mare, based on Beaufighter Road, became a Certified B Corporation in March 2025.
In an Instagram post that celebrated the announcement, it was stated that The Hive was also part of the Better Business Act — a coalition made up of over 2,900 businesses campaigning for a change to the law that would see all companies in the UK align their long-term interests with those of wider society and the environment.