Newsletter - April 2010
Welcome to the April edition of the Peterborough Workspace Newsletter.
During March we have welcomed to Workspace House, Karen Hawkins trading as Ceilings R Us, supplying materials for suspended ceilings etc. and also arranging fitting if required. We also welcomed John Woolley who is starting a company called Easy 4 U offering training to the potential “silver surfer” market plus general computer support and maintenance.
We had two businesses move out of Workspace House in March, one moving their operation to London and the other consolidating their operation in a larger building. This type of activity is very natural. In the last twelve months 21 businesses have moved in and an equal number have moved out. The turnover of businesses is healthy and it is good to see businesses grow and prosper. The good news is that we have two units available but they may be taken quite quickly given that there has been a very pleasing uplift in the number of enquiries we have had from potential tenants over this quarter.
Ian and Lorraine of i-lid Designs have had a busy few months and have seen the market pick up in the architectural and interior design field after a difficult period. They have gained several new design contracts in the last few weeks. The first was a new indoor market in Walton for a local company which is being launched in the local press at the moment. The second was the interior design package for a multi-million pound dwelling in Rutland due for completion Aug 2010. Finally, they have been commissioned to redesign a restaurant called Masons in Brentwood Essex. This is their 3rd commission for this particular client.
One of i-lid's projects reached completion this month with the opening of the second private dental practice they have designed called the 'Orange Pepper Clinic' in Netherton, Peterborough. The great thing about this project was the involvement of three other Workspace companies - Rose Fire Engineering, Mark 2 Security and MSS UK Ltd. - who all provided their services to help build this expanding brand.
Daral Brennan trading as Mr. Vinyl, another tenant at Workspace House, provides digital print solutions to businesses and has proved that despite current economic concerns, small businesses are still willing to help the local community. Mr. Vinyl has just started to sponsor the recently formed Yaxley Infants FC Under 7 Football Team and their enthusiasm was plain to see as they proudly displayed their new kit.
Sarah Hall, also from Mister Vinyl said: “It's a pleasure to sponsor Yaxley Infants FC. I wish them every success in their first ever season. Although our sponsorship normally extends to the world of motorsport, it's the first infant football team we have ever sponsored and it's a very exciting time. We provided the whole kit and designed and printed it ourselves. We will also provide team merchandise to help the team raise vital funds.”
I've been particularly pleased that, during February and March businesses within Workspace have taken on four apprentices thus helping young people into work, most for the first time, in what are still difficult economic times. This is a major part of what Workspace is about.
So, I think the events of the last month or so outlined above go some way to showing what we at Peterborough Workspace are trying to achieve and the way we try and support all businesses here - from companies here seeing their markets and their business flows begin to pick up again; to working collaboratively to bring worthwhile projects to satisfactory conclusions; to looking outwards to help the local community, and, particularly, helping to create jobs, particularly for young people within Peterborough.
If you think that Peterborough Workspace is somewhere from where you would consider running your start up or new business, then, even if our available units may not suit at this time why not give me a call or come in for a chat to see how we may be able to help in the future. Even if you don't take up residence here we have a wealth of information and contacts which we will be happy to share with you and help you progress your business. Even if your company has moved on from its fledgling days but you know people who are just setting out in business then, again, please pass the Workspace details to them.
Finally, Peter Mulhall of Business Link has done his usual sterling job by providing a further article designed to help small businesses and this month the article deals with “e-mail marketing together with a few legal rules”. Really useful stuff and something I will be reviewing before writing future newsletters!
I hope you all have a busy and fruitful month.
David Newman
Project Director
tel: 01733 390707
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