Work has started to deliver innovative enterprise centre

Start-up and growing businesses will soon have the opportunity to benefit from first-rate flexible workspace and business support when a new £8 million state-of-the-art facility opens next year.

East Northamptonshire Council has received £1.69 million funding from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) Local Growth Fund in order to deliver its flagship project, Enterprise Centre, East Northants as part of Enterprising East Northants, the council’s economic plan for sustainable job creation and business growth.

The new purpose-built enterprise centre, which will be located at Warth Park in Raunds, will provide a range of flexible units, as well as virtual office support and access to on-site facilities including meeting space and shared office services. Construction has now started and it is anticipated that the centre will open in late spring 2020.

The Local Enterprise Partnership’s role is to enhance and promote the area’s sustainable growth and, through its local industrial strategy help unlock the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses. Through its capital investment programme, the Local Growth Fund, SEMLEP invests in a range of projects that improve business productivity, develop local skills in line with employers’ needs and enhance the infrastructure – digital, physical and cultural– to create good quality places where people want to live, work and invest

Leader of East Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Steven North, said:

“It is great news that we have received funding from the SEMLEP Growth Fund, which will enable us to deliver this innovative facility and firmly place enterprise and entrepreneurship at the heart of the local community.

“Work has now started to build this flagship centre, and we are excited to see this development take shape. I would encourage start-ups and small and medium enterprises to get in touch and register their interest today.”

Chief Executive of SEMLEP, Hilary Chipping, said:

“SEMLEP is committed to increasing productivity and promoting high value, entrepreneurial culture in the area.

“This funding will support East Northamptonshire Council to create a modern, flexible, diverse workspace where a range of businesses can thrive, interact and collaborate. This will help to deliver more high-quality jobs within the area.”

To register your interest or for more information please call: 0808 1787 060