Enterprise can introduce income-generating services or activities, to help make a building more self-sufficient and financially sustainable in the long term.
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Enterprise spaces, which may be used by single or multiple groups, often require certain features or technical specifications. 

Examples

Enterprising Extensions

Sometimes adding an extension to a building can create the new space required to support enterprise, and help bring different organisations and functions together in one building. ​

Home Café at Emmanuel
​Church, Didsbury
Source: Empowering Design Practices

Flexible spaces to fuel enterprise

Making changes to a building can make it more flexible for diverse uses that generate income. This is particularly useful when enterprising spaces need to cater for different activities and user groups. 
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St John the Baptist Church & Village Hall, Stadhampton
Sources: Empowering Design Practices, Ann Stead

Capitalising on underused spaces

Underused spaces in a building can be hired for short or long-term use by a partner or tenant. This can help bring in income, and can breathe new life into spaces that have sat empty for a time. ​
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The Bear Pit Theatre at Stratford-Upon-Avon United Reformed Church
Source: Stratford-upon-Avon URC & Bear Pit Theatre © Patrick Baldwin

Inventive installations and uses

The addition of temporary or permanent features into your building can open up a range of new opportunities, which may require a little left-field thinking. This church hosts a post office, soft play facilities, shop and cafe.

The Sherriff Centre, West Hampstead
Source: Grainge Photography

Take a look at your building

Looking at what’s there​

1. Do you currently have activities or services in your building that people pay to use? Are there any problems related to their use for these activities and services?
   
   
2. Are there any activities or services that you would like to offer that are not possible or appropriate in your building as it is now? Why?
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3. Are there spaces in your building that are not currently being used for enterprising activities that could be with little or no alteration required?

Looking to the future​

1. What changes to the building are required to accommodate enterprise activities?
   
   
2. Can the changes you are making to accommodate enterprise be reversed or further adapted in the future to accommodate a potential change in use or management?
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3. Might introducing enterprise activities, and making changes to the building to accommodate them, affect how people perceive your building and what happens there?

Flexibility >

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