Merseyway Innovation Centre “ticks all the boxes” for growing businesses

Despite having only opened its doors in November, the Merseyway Innovation Centre in Stockport has announced it is already at more than a third of its capacity.

Businesses taking space at the centre, which has repurposed unused retail units in the Merseyway Shopping Centre, have praised cited the hub’s accessibility, location, business support offer and networking opportunities as factors drawing them to the scheme.

Recent new arrivals to the centre include Caspian NDTS, The Wheelie Good Travel Company, and EK Automation Services.

Moving to Merseyway Innovation Centre after outgrowing its previous office in Edgeley, Caspian NDTS is using the centre as a communications HQ for its engineers and customers around the country. The business undertakes structural integrity testing to ensure infrastructure, including lighting columns, signal masts and flood lighting, isn’t at risk of falling due to corrosion or mechanical fault. Ollie Anderson, Managing Director for Caspian NDTS, said:

“Around 95 per cent of our work is done on site by our team of technicians, but we need a facility to run the business out of. Our previous office had become too small and when we began looking for somewhere new, we came across Merseyway Innovation Centre, which offered everything we were looking for. It met our budget, is in a fantastic location, the facilities are high quality and we could integrate with other businesses, too.”

EK Automation Systems, which provides automation technology and software to factories looking to digitalise their operations, came across Merseyway Innovation Centre when looking for a new northern hub to expand the business; Ed White, Co-founder and Director, said:

“The manufacturing arm of the business is based in Stourbridge in the West Midlands but our customer base is growing, with many in the North, and we’re keen to take on more employees in the next 12 months. We needed an office that would meet our demands as a software and tech company, and Merseyway Innovation Centre ticks all the boxes. It’s modern, has state of the art connectivity, and has fantastic transport links which makes it great for meetings. The team are incredible – nothing is too much to ask, and having Naomi Timperley on hand as the Innovation Director has been a big support for us.”

Inclusive travel agent The Wheelie Good Travel Company is one of the leading experts in accessible travel, providing information to people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The company recently won the Best Accessible Travel Agent category at the LuxLife Travel and Tourism Awards 2024. Jon Fletcher, CEO, said:

“Our business is all about showing people they can travel freely and feel inclusive, so I wanted an office space that reflected that. Merseyway Innovation Centre is disability friendly making it accessible for people who prefer face to face meetings, while the community is incredibly friendly and welcoming, making even the most vulnerable of people feel comfortable and accepted. After winning the LuxLife Travel and Tourism Award, I’ve got growth plans for the business and one of the best things about being located here is the opportunity to do that at my own pace and flexibly, with larger spaces available should I need them.”  

Merseyway Innovation Centre offers flexible accommodation from coworking space to shared offices, individual office space from 100 sq ft up to 570 sq ft, plus a 1,000 sq ft business lounge. The scheme has been made possible through funding from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (via Northern Powerhouse), Stockport Council and from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s Cultural Development Fund managed by Arts Council England.