Friday December 13 2024
Swindon & Wiltshire News
The new White Horse Enterprise Centre in Trowbridge, offering flexible workspace designed for small start-up and step-up businesses across Wiltshire, opened its doors last week.
Jane Scott, the leader of Wiltshire Council, cut the ribbon at the completely refurbished offices on the White Horse Business Park.
The Centre offers offices and ‘hot desk’ facilities for up to 34 micro businesses as part of The Enterprise Network, a £5.2m initiative to boost small businesses in Wiltshire and rural Swindon, led by Wiltshire Council.
Councillor Scott told an audience of more than 70 members of Wiltshire Chambers of Commerce – whose new HQ is in the Enterprise Centre – as well as other business and community representatives: “One of Wiltshire Council’s top priorities is to boost the local economy and it’s wonderful to see centres like this start to roll out across our county as part of the innovative Enterprise Network.
“This centre, and The Enterprise Network as a whole, is about harnessing entrepreneurial spirit and supporting new businesses, giving people the support they need to ensure their ideas become real ventures which span generations. I’m pleased to say that this centre and the Enterprise Network is a real and tangible example of what can be achieved when we successfully work with our partners.”
The new White Horse Enterprise Centre at the White Horse Business Park in Trowbridge offers an unbeatable package of affordable office and communal networking space coupled with free expert business advice through Wiltshire Business Support Service (WBSS), as well as help in applying for Rural Economy Grants.
Kate Forrest, manager of The Enterprise Network, said: “Our first Enterprise Centre at Castledown Business Park in Ludgershall opened recently, and has already attracted its first business tenants.
“The White Horse Enterprise Centre is the second to open in Wiltshire. People can rent a desk by the hour or an office by the month, so it is perfectly tailored for start-ups or small businesses heading for growth.
“In addition, the free expert support and advice through Wiltshire Business Support Service is available to anyone thinking of starting a small business or those needing to take their business onto the next stage. The Enterprise Network is particularly pleased to support women entrepreneurs as well as military personnel and their partners and dependents who want to launch or develop a business.”
The Enterprise Network (TEN) is led by Wiltshire Council in partnership with Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Enterprise Wiltshire, Swindon Borough Council, Military Civilian Integration Partnership and 43 Wessex Brigade, Wessex Chambers of Commerce.
It is funded by Wiltshire Council, Action for Wiltshire, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Rural Growth Network funding from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Government Equalities Office through the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and Plain Action Local Action Group (LEADER) funded through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).
