The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Scottish Association for Mental Health have opened a new charity hub in the heart of Scotland's largest city.

Brunswick House in Glasgow's Merchant City opened yesterday and is already at maximum capacity, hosting nine civil society organisations including Citizens Advice Direct, the Stroke Association and anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth. 

The hub includes maintained office space, meeting rooms, a training room and broadband connection for a maximum annual cost of £3,400 plus VAT. SCVO's convener, Alison Elliot, said the new facility will provide new opportunities for local groups:

"Already business deals have been achieved by organisations working alongside each other here. In these difficult financial times, sharing office space saves money and staff time which means organisations can focus on making a positive difference to people's lives across Scotland," she said.

The hub has proved extremely popular with a waiting list for access to the facility building fast. Charlie Barker, director of one of Brunswick House's resident charities, the Social Care Ideas Factory, explained how the facility benefits his charity: 

"Brunswick House has been hugely successful for us in terms of networking and being in the centre of town and having nearly all our partner organisations within walking distance."