North Somerset’s new business centre, The Hive, which has been developed and launched as an enterprise hub from which local businesses can work, do business and enjoy on-site advice and support, is one-third full – just three months on from its official opening.
The Hive, located in the Business Quarter of Weston Park in the Junction 21 Enterprise Area of Weston-super-Mare, was officially opened by North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA) in July, to provide the workspace, facilities and support that start-up, small and growing businesses need, all under one roof.
It offers workspace with easy-in easy-out terms, conference and meeting rooms for the use of tenants and the wider community, a business lounge, hot desks and virtual office tenancies, alongside business advice, support and training from NSEA’s team of experienced business advisors, who are based on-site.
The Hive’s first eight tenants, which between them occupy 13 offices and 33 per cent of available office space, include; specialist, high technology, research and development company Xenint Limited, chartered town planning consultancy services provider Renplan and telecommunications services provider First Class Comms.
In addition The Hive’s facilities are also regularly used by five hot desk clients and several “virtual” office tenants and its conference and meeting rooms, which are available for hire by non-tenants, have already taken bookings up to November 2015.
The enthusiasm and speed with which the business community has adopted The Hive has helped to smash the business centre’s targets so far, according to Chief Executive Angela Hicks.
“Whilst we have had high hopes and ambitions for The Hive, tenant numbers are above plan and meeting room use has exceeded expectations. We hoped that our offering, which combines a key location, impressive facilities and unrivalled business support, would be welcomed but the feedback so far has been phenomenal. ” says Angela.
“Local businesses have praised our facilities, especially the ease of location, use of technology and comfort for meeting space and one tenant told us they wished they could have moved here years ago! Bringing The Hive to North Somerset was an enormous challenge for our team but the feedback and results are already making it all worthwhile.”
John Reynolds, Director of Xenint, says that his business looked at potential workspace across Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas but found that The Hive ticked more boxes for them than any of its competitors.
“The Hive offers a very modern and fresh facility located in a prime position allowing easy access to both the motorway and railway network at a very competitive rate. In addition The Hive links with the Junction 21 development programme where there is a very strong ethos to encourage and attract innovative hi-tech business into Weston, which aligns well with our medium term business aspirations.” John explains.
“The offices provide a professional, modern, clean and minimalistic feel with great views, the team behind The Hive is friendly, welcoming, supportive and has been highly flexible and the level of advice, direction and connections provided by NSEA has been outstanding.”
Mark Burland of First Class Comms agrees. “The key benefits to the business are location, ease of access 24/7, 365 days a year and a budgeted monthly cost which includes all of my services. Clients who have visited have all commented that they can see this being an interesting and creative place for businesses taking that next step in growing.”
“Our hopes for the next nine months are to continue to grow our occupancy as successfully as we have in the first three months.” concludes Angela Hicks. “We can also now focus on starting to build a vibrant in-house business community for our tenants to enjoy and benefit from.”
