Getting hold of a space is one of the key challenges in setting up an Urban Room. Experience from URN members show that there is no single or universal solution to this and finding space usually involves gaining a detailed understanding of local context and making lots of enquiries!

When looking for a suitable space for an Urban Room you should consider the following:

• accessibility - the space should be as easy as possible to access for people of all abilities. A ground floor space with a level access is ideal, if on an upper floor the space should be easily accessible via lift.

• visibility - look for spaces in busy centres with high footfall so that as many people as possible can become aware of the UR. For example, this might be on the high street, in a market, a shopping centre, a 24hr supermarket, a park, a public square, a library, a festival site - think creatively!

• connecting with under-represented groups - consider locating your UR in neighbourhoods or other areas where you can engage people who tend to be under-represented in placemaking including those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, people of colour, young people, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community.

Here are some ideas from URN members of how you might identify potential spaces:

• some towns and cities have local initiatives to promote meanwhile use or to incubate start-ups, e.g. Renew Sheffield, Brent Council, Open Doors Bradford

• contacting agents of private landlords may open up opportunities for a short-term let to fill an empty shopfront, animate street frontages and potentially attract business rate relief

• local authorities are increasingly looking for ways in which to strengthen community participation in local decision-making - try contacting the Local Area or Community Committee, local councillors, council regeneration teams - they may be able to provide access to council-owned properties or help broker relationships with other owners

• many local organisations and businesses are open to hosting public engagement activities that align with their charitable status, public funding remit or corporate social responsibility - try approaching local community centres, churches, libraries, supermarkets, market managers, festival organisers etc.

• remember, an UR doesn’t need to be inside - consider renting a market stall, remodelling a van, building a pop-up pavilion - think outside the box!