Against a backdrop of tough economic conditions, an innovative new centre for SME businesses in North Somerset, which opened in 2011, is now celebrating a number of success stories.
Radius Enterprise Centre is a ‘unique environment for success’, according to the founder Peter McCarthy.
Based in Clevedon Hall, a listed mansion, its sole focus is to help businesses become more successful.
Through the Centre, businesses benefit from a range of facilities from personal mentoring from serial entrepreneurs through to managed service offices.
So what made Peter, a serial entrepreneur, want to set up the Centre?
“I bought Clevedon Hall in 1991 as the Group HQ for the three businesses I had then. I fell in love with the Hall as a listed building in an estate setting. It gave us the tranquillity needed to think, take action and relax, and the staff always used to say it was a pleasure to come to work there. The nature of our businesses meant we had to install high speed data networks and sophisticated telephony. We had prestigious meeting rooms which never failed to impress both clients and suppliers”.
Peter adds: “A few years ago I had the opportunity of taking the building over again and felt it was time that a centre was established that significantly increased the prospects of SME businesses succeeding. So I took the original benefits my companies enjoyed and added more, based on my experience of advising and running SME businesses over the last 20 years.”
From a high speed networking infrastructure to bespoke advice on a range of business issues, Radius offers the full spectrum of support needed to enable businesses to thrive. Starting by understanding the business and the critical issues it faces, the business specialists and mentors at the Centre suggest ways to reduce overheads, save management time, and how to source specialist help, if needed. Through this entrepreneurial mentoring approach, businesses can take advantage of having a range of mentors available to them, either on an ad-hoc basis or long term.
In addition to the mentoring and advice, a range of services are also available on-site, including book-keeping, cloud computing, HR and financial advice, as well as facilities for meetings and events with on-site catering provided by the highly acclaimed Parsnip Mash.
Peter says: “We offer space, facilities, resource, support, personal development and connections – all of which enable businesses to prosper – and these are available on a flexible basis so businesses are not locked in”.
Perhaps it’s not surprising then that the Centre has already spawned several success stories: “Our business trebled in size last year” said Rob Vivian, Managing Director of Pure Comms. “The quality of the environment and the invaluable support and advice available within Radius has enabled this level of growth”.
Another happy client has been start-up company Simply Environmental. Managing Director Adrian Cook commented: “We have discovered an inspirational foundation for our business at Radius. The support with new growth initiatives and the flexibility of space, as well as the mentoring programme under the watchful eye of an experienced entrepreneur, has helped enormously in growing the business.”
But it’s not just the specialist business support available that makes Radius an ‘Environment for Success’; it’s also the physical location. Radius combines prestigious managed office space in the grandeur of a Victorian Mansion with the benefit of 21st century facilities, and is just 5 minutes from the M5 and only 25 minutes from the centre of Bristol.
It offers a prestigious place of work where businesses can meet their prospects, clients and suppliers in an environment that says they are successful. As the mansion has its own grounds and a lake, businesses can also benefit from a level of tranquillity that is difficult to match.
A relatively new Radius client, Emma Lewis, Managing Director of Mango Ink Creative, said of her experience so far: “There were many attractions to moving our business to Radius, including the close proximity to the M5 which made the commute to work for some of the team much easier following our relocation from Bristol. In addition the location leaves a lasting impression with our clients.”
For businesses interested in taking advantage of the very special environment that Radius Enterprise Centre offers, see www.radiusenterprise.co.uk or call 01275 795 888 to arrange an informal meeting with Peter McCarthy to discuss how the Centre might be able to help your business.