Affordable Workspace to Support Startups in North Acton
Sciopolis will offer ready-to-occupy facilities for tech companies
A visualisation of the proposed Sciopolis facility. Picture: Ealing Council
November 26, 2025
Ealing Council has unveiled a new affordable workspace delivery plan aimed at helping startups and small businesses access long-term, below-market-rate premises. The initiative comes as rising rents threaten the survival of many local enterprises, which together make up 99% of Ealing’s economy.
The plan defines affordable workspace as commercial premises — including offices, shops and industrial units — available to local businesses, charities and social projects at reduced rates for a minimum of 15 years. It forms part of the council’s broader jobs and skills strategy, which prioritises inclusive growth and decent living incomes.
One of the first major developments under the plan is a new science and technology workspace at 1 Portal Way in North Acton, led by startup operator Sciopolis. The site, due to open in June 2026, will offer ready-to-occupy lab and office space designed for scientists, technologists and scale-up companies.
Charlie Mitchell, CEO of Sciopolis, said the project aims to remove barriers for researchers and innovators priced out of London’s commercial property market. “Whilst London is one of the best places in the world for science and technology innovation, the cost of lab space is often very high, and it can price out the very people who drive scientific progress,” he said. “Science and innovation shouldn’t be held back by real estate.”
Sciopolis is working in partnership with Imperial College London to deliver the new site, which sits within the Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area and forms part of the emerging WestTech London innovation corridor. The hub is expected to attract startups working in diagnostics, climate tech and life sciences — a sector earmarked for growth both locally and nationally.
“We’re also making it easier for them to connect with investors, collaborators, and the wider innovation ecosystem,” Mitchell added. “Ealing is the right place for this. It’s connected, diverse, full of potential, and a key part of WestTech London.”
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, cabinet member for decent living incomes, said the new delivery plan was essential to protect and grow Ealing’s business base. “We want the businesses in our borough not only to survive, but to grow and thrive,” she said. “The lack of affordable workspaces risks pushing companies out of the borough or, in the worst cases, out of business.”
She added that the plan would help create more places where businesses can flourish and offer good, well-paid jobs to residents, in line with the council’s economic strategy.
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