Coworking spaces and regional development: a role for policy

We explore how coworking spaces (CWSs) might contribute to place-based policy and regional development, especially in provincial towns/cities and rural/coastal areas. Drawing on interview and focus group data from regional stakeholders in three English local enterprise partnership areas, we examine the extent to which the attributes of CWSs contribute to ‘six capitals’ (physical, intangible, human, social, finance and institutional) widely considered to be the foundations of regional development. Our analysis suggests CWSs should at least be part of place-based policy conversations around placemaking and the revival of places. This conclusion should also resonate in other countries and regional policy circles.