From 1st September 2026 we will have a Start-Up bench space (for emerging makers), Incubation Unit (for growing businesses) and commercial workshop (for established businesses) available. Full details below.
The Sylva Wood Centre has three workspace vacancies that will be available for young and established businesses working with wood from September. As a Member of the Sylva Wood Centre you would join a collaborative community of passionate makers, gain access to specialist facilities, and benefit from an association with the Sylva Foundation’s strategic work in UK forestry.
We welcome applications from people who work predominantly with wood, who will benefit from dedicated facilities and are interested in contributing to our wood-focussed business hub.
Start-Up bench space
Our Start-Up bench spaces are designed to help emerging makers and new businesses and are available for a maximum of three years.
The bench spaces are within a large space allowing great interaction with other makers. Spaces are marked out and provide space for users to store equipment and materials, and to work on projects. Start-Up benches also allow access to a shared machinery workshop which is charged additionally dependent on use.
The rental agreement is very flexible with no formal lease and a one month notice period.
- Available from 1st September 2026.
- Size – 186 sqft
- Cost: £300 per month (including VAT)
- Optional access to well-equipped Machinery Workshop, including panel saw, planer, thicknesser and band saw, subject to additional charge (currently £80 per month inc VAT for standard usage)
- Electricity, business rates, access to kitchen, toilets, parking and WiFi are included.
- A workbench is provided but no other tools/machinery/equipment/furniture.
Incubation Unit – Unit 6 Potato Store
Our Incubation Units are designed to help young businesses become established and thrive. The unit is offered on a three-year commercial lease where Sylva Foundation is subsidising the rent to allow young businesses to get started. The successful business will have their rent reduced by 50% in Year One, by 25% in Year Two, with the full rate payable in year three. The three-year lease is not extendable.
Given the high value of these spaces, we would expect an applicant to have a sound business plan for the three-year period.
- Available from 1st September
- Size – 296 sqft
- Cost: Year One £1,550, Year Two £2,275, Year Three £3,100 (excluding VAT)
- Three year commercial lease (not extendable)
- Electricity – charged at cost
- Business rates – tenant is liable for business rates. This unit is currently eligible for 100% Business Rate relief.
- Optional access to well-equipped Machinery Workshop, including panel saw, planer, thicknesser and band saw, subject to additional charge. (currently £80 per month inc VAT for standard usage)
- Access to kitchen, toilets, parking and WiFi
- No tools/machinery/equipment/furniture is provided in the workshop.
Commercial Unit – Unit 4 Grain Store
Our commercial units are aimed at established businesses working with wood. Grain Store Unit 4 is located in our second large converted building, with easy access to the community facilities provided in the Potato Store building
- Available from 1st September
- Size – 428 sqft
- Cost: £3,850 per annum (excluding VAT). Increases annually in line with CPI.
- Five year commercial lease
- Electricity – charged at cost
- Business rates – tenant is liable for business rates. This unit is currently eligible for 100% Business Rate relief.
- Optional access to well-equipped Machinery Workshop, including panel saw, planer, thicknesser and band saw, subject to additional charge. (currently £80 per month inc VAT for standard usage, £140 per month inc VAT for enhanced usage )
- Access to kitchen, toilets, parking and WiFi.
- No tools/machinery/equipment/furniture is provided in the workshop.
- Note. To maintain a positive environment for our neighbours and fellow tenants, this unit is subject to specific restrictions (including parking and outdoor working)
APPLICATION DEADLINE – 17th MAY 2026, 23:59
If suitable, you may apply for more than one space. The application form allows you to select the spaces you are interested in.
To help you prepare your application a list of the questions on the form is available here.
If we believe you are a suitable candidate we will arrange to meet with you to talk about your needs and understand more about your business.
We intend to notify successful applicants by 29th May.
Applications will be assessed against these criteria:
- commitment to the ethos and vision of the Sylva Wood Centre, including the use of home-grown timber
- quality of your work and craft
- professional approach
- entrepreneurial business approach
- presentation of submitted work via provided images
- collaborations and connections in the sector
- how you believe securing a place at the Sylva Wood Centre would benefit you, and what you would bring to the community
Those interested in applying are strongly advised to arrange to view the facilities before applying. To arrange a visit contact Phil Gullam: phillip.gullam@sylva.org.uk or 01865 408018
If you’d like to visit informally to see what the Wood Centre is about we are taking part in Oxfordshire Artweeks on Saturday 9th May and Sunday 10th May. More details here.
