Venture House, Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s new state-of-the-art business centre in Stratford-upon-Avon has celebrated its official launch.
The centre opened for business in April this year following the completion of a major project to turn a redundant council building on Avenue Farm Industrial Estate in Stratford-upon-Avon into a top class facility for small businesses and new business start-ups.
Venture House provides 2,500 square feet of business space over two floors offering hot-desking, co-working space, self-contained offices, reception meet & greet, superfast broadband, WiFi, free business support, on-site parking, cycle shed, indoor & outdoor chill-out zones, refreshment facilities, meeting space, small conferencing facilities, competitive rates and easy in easy out terms.
The project has been funded by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) through an award of £450,000 as part of the Growth Deal initiative, and led by a team from Stratford-on-Avon District Council.
This award is part of an overall £88.6 million Growth Deal Package for Coventry and Warwickshire announced in January 2015.
The centre is particularly aimed at new and existing SMEs, entrepreneurs and home based businesses wanting to make the first transition into a commercial environment.
Free business support is available on site provided by business experts from the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub; a ‘one-stop service’ offering advice on mentoring, coaching, business planning, access to finance, exporting, apprenticeship opportunities and more.
Those in attendance at the launch celebration included local dignitaries, the key partners who helped make the project possible and representatives from the business community. There was also an opportunity for those present to take a tour the new facility and meet business occupants.
Councillor Dave Riches, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Housing & Revenues, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: “We are very proud of our new business centre which we hope will act as a blueprint for other similar projects in the district where there is a need. We look forward to welcoming businesses to this new facility which we hope will provide a centre for inspiration, creativity and excellence. We would encourage new and existing businesses and individuals thinking of starting up a new business to take advantage of the free on-site support offered by business experts.
“Venture House provides a great platform for new and SME’s to realise their aspirations and we would particularly encourage home based businesses to take advantage of the opportunity to work in a friendly business community environment aimed at helping them on their journey to growth.
“Our ambition is testimony to the recognition by Government Ministers of the District Councils desire to support new business and business growth in our district and that this is seen as a priority.”
Jonathan Browning, chairman of Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “Venture House is a fantastic facility for Stratford-upon-Avon which will help to increase business start-up activity in the town for many years to come.
“The CWLEP has identified business start-ups as a key area to drive growth across our region and we’re delighted funding secured through the Growth Deal has helped to develop such a vital resource.
“Venture House is also providing a perfect platform for Growth Hub advisors to deliver advice and support to SMEs in the area to support them to thrive and grow.
“We’re delighted to see the facility making a positive impact and would urge anyone in the town launching a business, or considering doing so, to visit Venture House to see how the team there can provide vital support.”