North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA) has been celebrating its move into its landmark new workspace and business development centre The Hive this week, ahead of the arrival of the building’s first business tenants.
NSEA, which opened in 1987 to support start-up and growing businesses across North Somerset with free or low-cost advice, support, information and training will own, manage and be based at The Hive which is located in the Business Quarter of Weston Park, in the Junction 21 Enterprise Area of Weston-super-Mare and on the site of the former airfield.
Previously based in Oldmixon Crescent in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset Enterprise Agency has, in its time,helped more than 3000 new businesses across North Somerset to start-up, supported the creation of thousands of local jobs and seen more than 10,000 people attend its training courses.
A not-for-profit organisation, the Enterprise Agency’s mission has always been to stimulate, encourage and support local enterprise, thus helping to create a healthy local economy. In 2013 alone it helped 170 new businesses to start out, creating 217 new jobs.
Whilst North Somerset Enterprise Agency will continue to work as a “one-stop-shop” providing a steady supportive pair of hands to help entrepreneurs and small business owners with every aspect of running their organisations through its experienced, knowledgeable and locally-based team of advisors, moving to its own new business centre . will open up new a wealth of opportunities for the organisation and its clients.
“Being based at The Hive, which we aim will become a hub wherelocal businesses canwork, meet, network, share experiences and collaborate, heralds a bright future for North Somerset Enterprise Agency.” explains Chief Executive Angela Hicks, who began working on plans for The Hive seven years ago.
“We now have a first class conference room, meeting rooms and training facilities for the local businesses we serve, which will enable us to run many more events, networking and workshops.
“In addition, we are already taking bookings from larger organisations for meetings, hot desking and virtual office services, so The Hive really will be a building where local businesses of all sizes can work alongside each other.
“The Hive has been a long time in the planning and to arrive in our smart new offices and prepare to welcome our first tenants after all this time is quite overwhelming!” adds Angela. “We are planning an official opening and events for local businesses to enjoy at The Hive in early July, but in the meantime we are already open for business and enjoying welcoming our clients, old and new, as well as our first tenants to our new premises.”
The Hive will support the launch, development and success of start-up and growing local businesses by delivering on-site business supportalongside a range of resources and services and some 20,000 sq. ft of rentable managed office space and communal facilities.
It will provide 40-60 tenants with unfurnished offices, easy-in and easy-out terms, dedicated and secure broadband and a managed business reception, plus virtual office services, hot desks and meeting roomsto non-tenants.
If features an “Express Business Lounge” enabling people who need a hot desk facility in a smart professional business environment to buy space by the hour or day, sustainable transport options with pool cycles and showers and an electric vehicle charger and will be the home of North Somerset Business Club, which is run by NSEA.
The Hive, which is designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable, incorporates many energy-saving measures, avoiding air conditioning and including natural ventilation and lighting, photovoltaic cells and solar panels on the roof.
The new development has been enabled by an investment from the European Regional Development Fund, alongside funding from North Somerset Enterprise Agency.
North Somerset Enterprise Agency can be contacted on 01934 418118 or more information can be found at: www.northsomersetenterpriseagency.co.uk.