The unique Glasgow venue delivering five times the impact of a normal hotel
“What this report demonstrates is the value created when different communities come together under one roof” – Ben McLeod, general manager
A pioneering Glasgow venue that mixes hotel, student accommodation and business coworking has delivered more than five times the social impact of a traditional hotel, a new study has found.
The Social Hub Glasgow, which is also home to a rooftop bar and restaurant, as well as accessible spaces for the public, generated almost £10 million of “social value” between September 2024 and August 2025 through its contribution to wellbeing, skills, employability, entrepreneurship and community participation.
The research was carried out by social value consultancy RealWorth and supported by Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID). It found that the Merchant City venue creates 5.5 times more social value per square metre than a conventional Glasgow hotel - an estimated £5.53 of value per square metre for every £1 created by a standard urban hotel.
The Social Hub Glasgow was the first venue of its kind to open in the UK in 2024, introducing a European concept that blends hospitality, student living, coworking, learning and community spaces, food and beverage, and public spaces within a single development. The company now operates 21 hubs across Europe and is progressing plans for a second Scottish location, in Edinburgh.
Ben McLeod, general manager of The Social Hub Glasgow, said: “When we opened our ambition was never simply to create another hotel. We wanted to create a place where people could learn, stay, work and play, while feeling part of something bigger.
“What this report demonstrates is the value created when different communities come together under one roof. Whether that’s entrepreneurs finding collaborators, students building professional networks, community organisations accessing space, or visitors discovering Glasgow, those interactions create lasting benefits for the city.
Subscribe to the Scotsman Business Insider newsletter here
“The model has already proven successful and transformational across Europe, and Glasgow embraced it from day one,” he added. “We’re incredibly proud of the role The Social Hub now plays within the city and, as we progress plans in Edinburgh, we’re excited about the opportunity to build on that success.”
The study found that entrepreneurs, students, community organisations and local residents were among the biggest beneficiaries of the unique model, with the venue also generating £2.9m in education and job quality outcomes through coworking, mentoring and collaboration.
Researchers - who engaged with more than 100 groups and representatives in compiling the report - also found that 78 per cent of coworking members reported improvements in the quality of their work as a result of the collaborative environment.
James McGowan, principal consultant at RealWorth, said: “Our assessment found that The Social Hub Glasgow is creating substantial social value across a diverse range of stakeholder groups, from students and entrepreneurs to local residents and community organisations.
“What makes the findings particularly interesting is the scale of the difference compared with a conventional hotel model. The Social Hub demonstrates how mixed-use, community-focused developments can deliver significantly greater value by bringing together accommodation, workspace, learning opportunities and social connection in a single destination.”
The company operates more than 10,000 rooms across Europe and is currently developing new hubs in Lisbon and Turin, alongside its proposed Edinburgh development.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.