The Social Hub Glasgow generated almost £10m of social value for the city in its first year of operation, according to a new independent study.
The report, carried out by social value consultancy RealWorth and supported by Glasgow City Innovation District, found that the mixed-use venue delivered significantly greater social impact than a traditional hotel.
The Social Hub Glasgow generated £9.9m of social value between September 2024 and August 2025 through its contribution to wellbeing, skills, employability, entrepreneurship and community participation.
Researchers concluded that the Merchant City venue creates 5.5 times more social value per square metre than a conventional Glasgow hotel.
That equates to an estimated £5.53 of value per square metre for every £1 created by a standard urban hotel.
The findings reflect The Social Hub’s hybrid hospitality model, which combines hotel accommodation, student housing, coworking space, events, community programming and public amenities under one roof.
The Social Hub Glasgow was the first venue of its kind to open in the UK in 2024.
The European concept 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 and UK location in Edinburgh.
The Social Hub is B Corp certified and distributes 1% of global annual revenue to the TSH Talent Foundation, supporting changemakers of the future.
The study found that entrepreneurs, students, community organisations and local residents were among the biggest beneficiaries of the model.
It also found that the venue generated £2.9m in education and job quality outcomes through coworking, mentoring and collaboration.
Researchers engaged with more than 100 groups and representatives in compiling the report.
The study found that 78% of coworking members reported improvements in the quality of their work as a result of the collaborative environment.
It also found that 80% of students believed living at The Social Hub would improve their future career prospects.
More than 60 community organisations accessed free event space during the year.
The report said the venue extends beyond a traditional hospitality business and now plays a significant role in Glasgow’s innovation and regeneration ecosystem.
Impacts identified included support for startups and entrepreneurs, skills development, improved wellbeing and social connection, additional student accommodation capacity and the creation of a civic space.
The report said this civic space enables businesses, residents, students and visitors to interact regularly.
Alisdair Gunn, Director of Glasgow City Innovation District, said: “The Social Hub has become an important part of Glasgow’s innovation ecosystem because it creates something every successful innovation district needs: a place where people can come together.
“Innovation doesn’t just happen in offices, laboratories or lecture theatres.
“It happens when people from different backgrounds, sectors and disciplines meet, share ideas and build relationships.
“The Social Hub provides exactly that kind of environment.
“The findings of this report are significant because they demonstrate that investment in connection, collaboration and community generates tangible economic and social benefits.
“In my view, every innovation district should have a The Social Hub venue.”
Ben McLeod, General Manager of The Social Hub Glasgow, said: “When we opened The Social Hub Glasgow, 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.
“The model has already proven successful and transformational across Europe, and Glasgow embraced it from day one.
“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 venue has hosted a range of events and partnerships over the past year.
These have included The Social Hub’s annual Better Society Academy, which included a keynote speech from First Minister John Swinney.
Other initiatives have been linked to Glasgow Tech Week, Scottish Creative Network, AccelerateHER, Glasgow Pride, Merchant City Festival and the Glasgow Comedy Festival.
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.”
Glasgow forms part of The Social Hub’s growing European network, which includes Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Rome and Vienna.
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.
The report also highlights The Social Hub’s role in addressing wider challenges facing Glasgow, including access to flexible workspace, driving innovation and the need for more inclusive city-centre spaces.
Researchers concluded that The Social Hub has evolved beyond a traditional hospitality venue.
They said it has become a platform for innovation, entrepreneurship, learning and community building, positioning it as a potential model for future city-centre developments across the UK.
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