Ashfield District Council: Award for business incubation units

Award for business incubation units

Business incubation units at the Idlewells Centre, Sutton, have been awarded a prestigious award from Action for Market Towns.

The regional award recognises the work being carried out developing sustainable and innovative projects in the area’s market towns.

The Ashfield Business Centre was created by Ashfield District Council and The Ashfield Partnership, with funding obtained from the Alliance SSP Market Towns programme and the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) programme.

The funding was used to transform a large unused unit into smaller supported office accommodation (incubation units) for start-up or existing businesses in Ashfield.

The Centre now provides six fully furnished units providing the resident businesses with a range of resources.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Nottinghamshire Business Venture (NBV) in order to provide the highest level of support to new and pre-start businesses. NBV will have a regular presence in the centre offering guidance and support to new start businesses in the area.

A BizFizz coach, employed through the Alliance for Enterprise (LEGI) programme, is also based at the Ashfield Business Centre to provide one-to-one advice and guidance to individuals wishing to start their own business.

Andrew Smith, Ashfield District Council’s Head of Community and Economic Promotion said:

"I am particularly pleased that the Council has received this award as it reflects the substantial efforts that have gone into supporting new local businesses which is a key District Council priority. With the support available within the new workspace I am looking forward to seeing many new businesses setting up and growing into tomorrow's thriving industries."

For further information, please contact Helen Dennis on 01623 457350.

ENDS

Photo Caption: Cllr. Tony Theaker, Community Partnership Portfolio Holder and Helen Dennis, Ashfield District Council receiving the East Midlands Award for Business & Economy

For further information, please contact Carys Turner-Jones on 01623 457004.