A NEW shared office scheme has been launched in York in a bid to match up companies with extra space and those looking to rent somewhere to work.

The initiative has been put together by Make it York, the city's new marketing company which took over City of York Council's economic development team, working in partnership with Share My Office.

Operated online through a free to use website, york.sharemyoffice.co.uk, the scheme is devoted to matching up businesses with extra space and those who are looking to rent space.

Andrew Sharp, head of Business at Make It York said: "We believe this is a creative and valuable platform, enabling shared office space, shared ideas and most of all shared opportunities to develop and deliver new business projects."

The scheme has been introduced following the publication of a report in 2013 by the North of England Civic Trust, entitled ‘Upper Floors in York City Centre: An Opportunity’, which identified an estimated 360,000 sq ft of upper floor space that could be more productively used.

The report encouraged businesses to think about how they could share their space with others, also ensuring that smaller businesses could find appropriate space to start up and grow.

An accommodation study by Science City York, also part of Make It York, echoed the findings after identifying e need for increased support for creative, digital and media companies.

The launch of the shared office site is backed by the York Property Strategy Group; a task group set up to identify solutions to property issues faced by businesses in York.

Share My Office founder Dave Robinson said: "Many businesses have spare desks and office space. This presents a commercial opportunity for owners and provides a vital step up for small and growing businesses.

"Co-working is popular in many places and it’s clear from the work Make It York are doing that York’s no exception.

"We were delighted to be approached and create a customised version of Share My Office for the city and hope it adds real value to its thriving business community."

The scheme has been welcomed by business networking and support group York Professionals.

Chairwoman Rachel Goddard, who's own company Intandem Communications recently moved into upper floor premises in High Petergate, said: "I think this is a brilliant idea.

"We have been in our new offices for nearly a year now and it is working fantastically well. Although we have our own large room we share the building with several other businesses which makes a supportive environment as well as being fun."