Places for London has opened applications for businesses looking to scale up at its newly refurbished Lockton Street Arches, marking the latest milestone in its Places for Growth initiative aimed
at supporting small and local enterprises.
Announced at an opening event on 14 January, the scheme invites ambitious businesses to apply for space within a run of 11 railway arches near Latimer Road Tube station, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The arches are currently undergoing refurbishment, with tenants expected to move in during winter 2026/27.
Places for London, Transport for London’s wholly owned property company, designed the Places for Growth programme to help early-stage and expanding businesses take the next step. Tenants will benefit from a stepped rent model, with discounted rates at the outset that gradually rise to market level over four years, helping businesses manage costs as they grow.
In addition to flexible rents, successful applicants will receive tailored business support from Portobello Business Centre and Grow London Local, alongside in-house guidance from Places for London. Businesses will also join a wider London-wide tenant network, offering opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.
The Lockton Street Arches refurbishment is being carried out in line with Places for London’s Arches Design Guide, which focuses on reducing environmental impact while strengthening social and economic benefits for local communities. Once complete, the arches will meet modern environmental standards, achieving a minimum EPC rating of ‘B’. Energy-efficient air source heat pumps will be installed to help keep running costs down, while recycled materials and zero-emission vehicles are being used wherever possible during construction. Improvements to the public realm and service yard aim to create a more welcoming and accessible environment for the neighbourhood.
Places for London is encouraging applications from a wide range of businesses. This includes entrepreneurs moving into their first dedicated commercial space after testing ideas from home, markets or shared workspaces, as well as established firms seeking larger or additional premises to accelerate growth. Applications will be assessed based on the strength of the business plan, local connections to the Lockton Street area, and the anticipated contribution to the local economy and community.
The final mix of tenants will be carefully curated to ensure businesses complement one another, offering residents a diverse range of products and services. Community impact sits at the heart of the scheme, reflecting Places for London’s wider commitment to reinvesting its income back into the capital.
In 2024 alone, Places for London delivered £440 million in economic and social value to London. The Lockton Street Arches are expected to build on this success by supporting job creation and delivering long-term benefits for the local economy.
Places for London is landlord to more than 1,500 businesses across its estate, with 95 per cent classed as small or medium-sized enterprises. Many have grown significantly with its support. One example is Zie Coffee & Co, a family-run Italian coffee specialist that launched its first outlet at Rayners Lane station in 2022 and has since expanded to two additional locations within the Places for London portfolio.
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. Supporting innovative, ambitious businesses is part of how London grows and how we continue to support our many diverse neighbourhoods and communities. The refurbished arches on Lockton Street will be modern, sustainable and welcoming to all and through this work, they'll soon have great tenants supporting North Kensington."
Dr Sheela Sharma, CEO of Portobello Business Centre, which has been supporting entrepreneurs in North Kensington for more than 30 years, said: "We're delighted to be partnering with Places for London on this exciting initiative at Lockton Street Arches. At Portobello Business Centre, we specialise in helping small business owners turn ambition into sustainable growth, and this scheme brings together two things that are often missing when businesses scale: high-quality, affordable workspace and tailored, hands-on support.
"By combining stepped rents with targeted business advice for the 11 successful occupiers, Lockton Street offers a genuinely supportive route to growth. We hope this becomes a model for how landlords and business support organisations can work together to help local enterprises flourish - benefiting tenants, communities and the wider local economy alike."
Vanesa Perez-Sanchez, Director of Small Business Services at London & Partners, said: "Grow London Local helps small businesses unlock new opportunities; and through this new partnership Places for London on Places for Growth, we are able to go even further! By combining free business support, with access to affordable space, we are helping SMEs grow where they are rooted. This will help protect and create jobs, strengthen local economies, as well as bring more life back and opportunity to our high streets and neighbourhoods."
Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber OBE said: "Small businesses are the backbone of London's economy and central to our ambition for inclusive growth across the capital. It's fantastic that the Lockton Street Arches will provide local businesses with the space and support needed to grow and flourish - helping boost the local economy and creating jobs as we continue building a better, more prosperous London for everyone."
More information about the Lockton Street Arches and the application process can be found at: placesforlondon.co.uk/projects/lockton-street
Photo by Sunil060902, Wikimedia commons.