Member Article

Support structure drives demand at SBIC

Stockport Business & Innovation Centre’s (SBIC) innovative support service for new businesses is driving demand at its Broadstone Mill base in Reddish.

SBIC provides flexible office space specifically aimed at nurturing fledgling businesses and offers mentoring and support to help start-ups and young businesses develop and deliver a robust business plan.

The centre, managed by Oxford Innovation, is owned by Stockport Council and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The support service and tightly-knit business community provided has proved extremely popular with tenants, many of whom have chosen to expand into larger units as their business has enjoyed growth.

One company making exactly this decision was last year’s SPARK Business Competition winner, Inspired Goodbyes, who have acquired a larger unit within the Centre. Other tenants expanding include Tangent Design and building experts Bricks and Pieces.

The past three months has also seen a number of new arrivals at SBIC, with new businesses from a variety of sectors taking office space, including recruitment specialists MDR Associates (UK) Ltd and MacDonald Basket Ball, home care agency Cheshire Quality Care, legal firm Chatham Chambers Solicitors and TPC Therapy.

Another new arrival is the 2015 SPARK Business Competition prize winner, Bariquins, who were handed the top business award for their 25-stone mannequins which are used to train emergency personnel and healthcare workers in the safe lifting of obese people.

Demand for SBIC’s inventive virtual office programme is also rising, with take-up doubling since April this year. Proving popular with newer, smaller businesses the programme provides office infrastructure to companies without them actually renting a physical space whilst also giving access to the Business Lounge area and business support.

SBIC Centre Manager, John Booth, said: “It’s great to see demand strong for our services because it means entrepreneurship and creativity is alive and well in Stockport.

“We are seeing businesses move to larger office spaces within SBIC, which is testament to our policy of nurturing businesses and giving them the tools they need to grow. It’s great for the businesses based here, it’s great for SBIC, but it’s also great for Stockport’s economy.”

Cllr Patrick McAuley, Executive Member for Thriving Economy at Stockport Council commented: “The facilities and support SBIC offers is unique within Stockport. It is good to hear that so many companies are choosing to take advantage of the opportunities the centre offers in order to help them build a strong and sustainable foundation for their business. I wish each of the companies the very best of luck for the future.”

For more information about Stockport Business & Innovation Centre visit www.stockport-bic.co.uk or call 0161 443 4100.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Welton .