Two tenants at The Hive in North Somerset have recently expanded into new larger offices within the business development centre.
Communications services company First Class Comms who took up residence at The Hive when it opened last year, and marketing experts Echo Engage who joined as a new business just six months ago, have both enjoyed rapid business growth and have now each moved into larger workspace that will allow them to further expand in the future.
For founder Mark Burland and the team at First Class Comms it is the second time that the company has needed to upgrade space since locating to The Hive.
“We have gone from one of the smallest offices here (14 sq m) to one of the largest currently available (32 sq m) within 18 months – and we have aspirations to move into a larger space than this in time!” says Mark, who established the business in April 2013.
“Managing the communications systems of an increasing number of small to large mainly South-West-based businesses has seen us recently recruit a new member of our team. So it was definitely time for us to further expand space-wise and we were fortunate that The Hive was able to accommodate us.” he continues.
“In both instances working with the Hive’s team has made moving easy to organise and stress-free so we are very grateful for their help – and to be based in an affordable yet prestigious location where business growth is both welcomed and supported.” Mark concludes.
Echo Engage, run by marketing and PR professional Paul Kelson and qualified marketing professional Janice Saunders, was established when the partnership – which previously ran Butt Media Solutions established in 2006 – refreshed its focus. Now supporting a multitude of diverse small businesses and delivering free monthly marketing clinics to North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA) clients onsite the business is helping others achieve business growth through effective marketing – and reaping the benefits of a busy client base.
“We launched our business at The Hive earlier this year because we feel it is in an excellent location, close to the M5 corridor and with easy access to Bristol. With NSEA at its heart it is also the centre of North Somerset business as far as we are concerned and in a business area that is growing fast.” Paul explains.
“We wanted to be a part of that and to also feel confident that, as we develop, The Hive will be able to accommodate any change. Our future plans mean bigger premises are already appropriate and we are extremely pleased with our new light and airy top floor corner office.
“What has been an additional pleasure has been the very welcoming and helpful disposition of all the staff here.” Paul adds. “They seem, in a small but significant way, to be a part of our team.”
Chief Executive of North Somerset Enterprise Agency, which owns and manages The Hive, Angela Hicks says: “A real sense of pride and achievement comes from seeing our tenants benefitting from our workspace here, taking on staff and expanding.
“It has always been our objective to help businesses to start-up and grow in order to create jobs and contribute positively to our local economy.” Angela continues. “The Hive does just that, giving businesses the facilities, services, support and easy-in, easy-out affordable terms that can help and enable them to thrive.”
In its first 12 months The Hive exceeded all of its first year targets, with 30 tenants taking office or virtual space with 51 per cent of the building occupied. Since July 2014 it has hosted more than 500 business, meeting and training events, becoming a leading venue of choice for business meetings, conferences, staff training days and more, with organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses and Barclays’ networking group choosing The Hive for their events
Not-for-profit owners North Somerset Enterprise Agency are already thinking about phase II of The Hive – the option to build an additional wing, to link to the existing building and create another 40 offices – when required.
Following several awards to date, The Hive was highly commended in the Commercial Property section of the South West RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) Awards this summer.
