The owner of a Hampshire electronics firm has become the first occupier of a new business hub in Aldershot.
Bob Beattie, Director of Farnborough-based circuit board specialist Southern Assemblies, has taken office space at the Mandora House enterprise centre to help service an expanding client base.
Part of the old Mandora Barracks, the 8,000-sq-ft Victorian brick building has been converted into more than 30 offices after lying partly vacant for several years.
It has just been opened by the not-for-profit business support company WSX Enterprise with help from Hampshire County Council.
Rushmoor Borough Council are also an active supporter of the project. Councillor Ken Muschamp, Cabinet member for Business, Safety and Regulation, said: “We are really pleased that the enterprise centre is now open for business and supporting local organisations. Small and medium-sized businesses provide approximately 66% of all employment in the UK, so are crucial to the national economy. They also contribute significantly to the local economy, often forming part of the supply chain for larger businesses and providing employment opportunities for our residents.”
Mr Beattie was welcomed by WSX Enterprise Chief Executive Peter Grant ahead of a free lunchtime event offering workshops, advice and expert talks to start-ups and existing businesses keen to expand.
The event, on Wednesday 5 November, is being hosted at the centre by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. It is designed to showcase the range of support available in and around Aldershot. A key focus is on helping budding entrepreneurs from a military background.
Among the topics under discussion are access to finance, low-cost office space, business planning, mentoring and development.
Organisations involved include X-Forces, Growth Accelerator, Start Up Loans, Disabled Entrepreneurs Network and Career Transition Partnership.
