Member Article

OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND ENTREPRENEURS TO JOIN CONNECT DERBY’S MANAGED WORKSPACES ACROSS THE CITY

Business owners and entrepreneurs are being offered the chance to join Derby’s fastest growing business community - with a number of high quality office spaces now available in Connect Derby’s seven managed workspace schemes in and around the city.

The Connect Derby scheme provides micro businesses, entrepreneurs and SME’s with the high specification working environment, IT infrastructure and business support they need to grow and thrive.

Joining the Connect Derby family enables businesses to benefit from quality accommodation in the best locations in the city. Each of the scheme’s seven buildings has a unique offering for existing businesses already operating inside or outside the city, or anyone considering self-employment or starting a new business.

Several offices (ranging in size from 265 ft2 to 569 ft2) are currently available at Friar Gate Studios on Ford Street, which has been home to the city’s creative industries since 2007. Facilities include the popular Bean Caffé, along with meeting and conference space.

Creative and technology companies looking for a city centre location have the choice of prime offices ranging in size from 153 ft2 to 314 ft2 at Sadler Bridge Studios.

Four office suites are available at Kings Chambers on Queen Street, which is ideal for new and developing businesses looking for affordable city centre office space on flexible monthly terms. Offices range from 126 ft2 to 978 ft2.

Riverside Chambers, the former Magistrates’ Court building on Full Street, boasts 27,000ft2 of prime office space. Offices ranging from 108 ft2 to 613 ft2 are available for rent.

Four smaller offices (119 ft2 to 186 ft2) are available at Shot Tower, which was redeveloped in 2015 on the site of the former Field Sports building on Albert Street.

A range of office accommodation is available at the recently refurbished Marble Hall on Nightingale Road, ranging from 172 ft2 to 1087 ft2. It also features Claude’s café, and Little Angels Day Nursery, which opened at the end of April.

Only a limited amount of accommodation now remains available at the stunning iHub on Infinity Park. The 45,000 ft2 facility was launched in Autumn 2016 and has already attracted a diverse range of businesses from across the rail, aerospace and automotive supply industries. As well as traditional office workspaces, the iHub also includes 14 ground floor workshops for businesses seeking a more hybrid working environment.

What makes the Connect Derby scheme unique, is its co-ordinated centre management and business support structure, which enables tenants to benefit from a planned pathway of growth and development.

Businesses based in any of the Connect Derby buildings receive a package of targeted help and support, including business development, mentoring and coaching opportunities as well as a programme of events aimed at sharing skills and encouraging collaboration.

Speaking about the success of the scheme to date, Ann Bhatti, Connect Derby’s business centres manager, said:

“Connect Derby offers a high level of economic regeneration and job creation, backed by business development support and digital communication and over the past three years, we have created a community that values skills, knowledge and collaboration.

“Businesses are encouraged to grow and develop through the Connect Derby scheme and many move to other buildings in our portfolio, providing opportunities for other fledgling and developing businesses to take advantage of our services and facilities.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the accommodation available at Connect Derby should contact Sonia Kang on 01332 742500 or email sonia@connectderby.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Donna Hill .