Blackpool’s office space scheme adds “professional appeal”

Growing businesses in Blackpool have given the thumbs up to the council’s office space scheme.

The council’s EC2 office services have seen some companies double their turnover just 12 months after signing a contract, while others are looking at taking on extra staff to cope with business demand after securing permanent homes for their companies.

EC2 office services are designed to meet the needs of young and growing businesses, whether working from home, moving to a first office, or looking for space to grow the business.

The service is flexible to meet the different needs of different businesses and the beauty is that businesses only pay for these professional facilities when they are needed, whether that is leasing an office for three years, renting a hot-desk or hiring a meeting room for an hour. You can even use the Enterprise Centre as a post-box to collect all your mail.

Business start-ups, SMEs, self-employed and home-workers can benefit from the EC2 package - big company office facilities – tailored for small business and firms only pay for what they need, when they need it.

Current tenants at the Enterprise Centre on Lytham Road, South Shore and the town centre’s FYCreatives building on Church Street, have spoken of their ability to meet the demands of their business by moving into the purpose-built hubs.

Nic Walsh, from EPM, said: “It’s been the best move I ever made coming to the Enterprise Centre. The experience has been excellent and I can’t think of anything negative to say.

“If you are a business who needs office space then I would recommend you give EC2 a try, you won’t be disappointed. In 12 months we have doubled our turnover and I haven’t looked back.”

Mike Coole, from Groundworks, said: “The staff at the Enterprise Centre are an asset to EC2, nothing is too much trouble for them, whatever you need for your business they are happy to help with.

“I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing office space in Blackpool. For business support, training and development of your company, there is nothing better.”

And Sarah Rhodes, director at Rhodes Media, who work out of FYCreatives, said: “Rhodes Media has been based at FYCreatives since the company was launched in May 2014 and the main reason we chose FYC because of the support available to start-up companies.

“In that time the company has expanded but FYC has been able to support that expansion by providing us with larger office space to suit our needs.”

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Economic Development, said: “For start-up businesses to grow in Blackpool they need services they know they can trust and EC2 gives them this support. We know what growing businesses need to survive and expand their horizons.

“It’s great to know that current tenants in the council-owned offices are enjoying their surroundings and growing their fortunes and really making the resort the place to do business. “With 2017 just around the corner I am confident more businesses will take up the offers on office space and realise their potential.”