Two entrepreneurial firms have signed up to a thriving business hub in Portsmouth – with a third expanding on site.
They are the latest companies to make five-storey Portsmouth Technopole the nerve centre for their commercial operations.
The arrivals of Queue-Safe and Abacus e-media, along with a fourth office for long-standing occupier Bladez Toyz, means the 20,000 sq ft building has just two offices available for occupation.
Centre manager Peter Outen said: “Portsmouth Technopole continues to attract entrepreneurs and innovators, generating local jobs, inward investment and a feel-good factor for the area. We are close to calling full house.”
Queue-Safe, which specialises in commercial and domestic umbrellas, awnings and cafe barriers, has taken 190 sq ft, having relocated from Chichester, West Sussex. It is run by Neil Henderson, managing director.
With 970 sq ft, Abacus e-Media is a digital technology supplier for content businesses and was previously based at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth.
Pictured is Peter, left, with Neil, next to bag dispensers for wet umbrellas in the reception area at Portsmouth Technopole.
Bladez Toyz, a market-leading brand of innovative radio-controlled gadgets and toys, now has just under 1,500 sq ft of open-plan space, having signed up to a fourth office of 372 sq ft on the first floor.
Iain Morgan, founder and owner of the 17-strong firm, said: “The new space is for design and development on the back of record demand from retailers across the world. The vibe and services here at the Technopole are superb, which is why we are happy to expand on site rather than relocate.”
Bladez is an official Star Wars™, Universal and Disney licensee – characters are from hit movies such as Minions and Star Wars.
Earlier this year Transalis, which helps companies trade electronically without the need for paper documentation, was assigned extra office space.
The latest signings follow a £100,000 investment in a new cafe, which is open to external users, and three meeting rooms for hire at the centre.
As previously reported, Portsmouth Technopole has already seen usage of the ground floor rooms soar by a third compared to what was previously available.
There are now 39 registered firms, with nearly 200 people employed between them, at Technopole in Kingston Crescent, next to the south-bound M275 city gateway.
An office package includes telephone answering and message services, reception services, mail handling, use of meeting and conference rooms and access to networking events, workshops and business support.
The centre is run by Oxford Innovation, which operates 20 similar innovation centres across the country on behalf of freeholders and local authorities. Oxford Innovation turns empty property – old or new – into thriving serviced offices to meet the support needs of start-up or growing firms.
