The Greater London Authority (GLA) commissioned CAG Consultants to undertake a quantitative and qualitative impact evaluation of the London Regeneration Fund (LRF), a £20m capital funding programme to deliver jobs and growth through developing new affordable workspace. The rationale for the programme was the loss of lower value industrial and high street workspace in London due to pressure from higher value (mainly residential) land uses. The LRF aimed to help improve the provision of such workspace, especially in areas of disadvantage and limited employment opportunities.

The evaluation reviewed 15 varied workspace projects across the capital assessing how the projects were delivered, the types of activities they undertook, and the outputs and outcomes delivered in terms of commercial floorspace, jobs and business support. The evaluation also assessed value for money of the programme.

The study concluded with a set of recommendations for future programmes related to project development; clarity on definition of project objectives and target beneficiaries; and monitoring of achievements.

The report and video case studies can be found on the GLA website, https://www.london.gov.uk/city-hall-blog/research-and-evaluation-activities-better-understand-our-impact