Due to funding pressures and rising demands for statutory services, local government is less able to support its community partners and local businesses with subsidised space within their buildings.

At the same time on our high streets, commercial property is largely held by institutional investors, pension funds, and REITs. Local communities cannot afford to own or rent space. Too much money leaves the local economy, with profit prioritised over local need. The uses that make places healthy, happy and entrepreneurial are being displaced.

A radical alternative is needed that secures and safeguards community buildings in perpetuity for the people who live and work locally. Imagine if an organisation could do for our community infrastructure what the National Trust does for our heritage buildings.

Our solution is the Public Trust, a proposed new charity from the founders of 3Space, currently being developed under the 3Space umbrella, with the long term aim of becoming an independent entity. We've been developing and testing this idea since 2024, gathering feedback from funders and potential partners along the way.