STOCKPORT BUSINESS & INNOVATION CENTRE PROVES A SUCCESS FOR YOUNG COMPANIES

Stockport Council’s business centre in Broadstone Mill has proved to be a catalyst for success for local start-up businesses.

The Stockport Business & Innovation Centre (SBIC) provides the means for smooth transition from a home environment to a standalone office with the added bonus of business support from a team of experienced advisors.

Typical of the businesses at SBIC, Matthew Jones, co-founder at Space Marketing & Communication, worked from home with his business partner Richard Higginbotham before discovering SBIC.

“A visit to the Innovation Centre showed it to be a vibrant, contemporary, working environment”, said Matthew.

“I became a member of the Engine House, and along with providing the perfect professional environment for me to meet my clients, I was able to access a range of other services including free business support workshops.”

SBIC’s Engine House is a business lounge facility, available to companies on a membership basis, providing a stepping stone to rented offices.

Matthew added: “Having this association with SBIC revolutionised our business. Three of our main clients are based in the centre, and through them we have been referred onto several more.

“After six months as a member of the Engine House we were able to quickly move into the shared office space facility and from there secure our own two-person office within the centre, enabling our business to further develop and grow.”

Caroline Simpson, Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “Stockport Business and Innovation Centre offers a place where businesses can get involved with like-minded individuals, share information and get the support needed to overcome challenges.

“The centre has established itself as an excellent place to build a business and we’re keen to encourage businesses to make use of the centre as a local resource for entrepreneurs.”

SBIC also 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. SBIC, managed by Oxford Innovation, is owned by Stockport Council.