HRL

Lord Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, will visit Harlow next week to open the town’s new business incubation centre. 

The Harlow Enterprise Hub is the first initiative in Harlow to offer small and embryonic businesses office space alongside bespoke business advice and support.

To achieve this Harlow District Council secured £3m of funding from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and £2.8m from the Growth Area Funding round II (GAF II) from the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). Under the project management of Harlow Renaissance, a 1960s office block has been acquired and refurbished to provide approximately 2,250 M² (24,000 ft²) of high quality accommodation which will provide 55 units for new and developing enterprises.

Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said:
"Small businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy. We have to do everything we can to help them through the current global economic downturn and emerge from it stronger. "Of course central Government has a role to play, but local action up and down this country is also crucial. That's why I'm looking forward to visiting Harlow and seeing the new Enterprise Hub, which should really help to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the town."

Harlow has been identified by the Government as a Key Centre for Development and Change and will play an increasingly significant role in the East of England economy. To meet this challenge, Harlow District Council and its partners have embarked on a programme of significant regeneration, which will lead to a step change in its regional role, and its demographic and socio-economic profiles.  The wider regeneration programme also covers housing, business, health & community and transport developments.    

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Leader of Harlow Council, said:
"I am delighted with the new centre and the opportunities it will give local business. It's especially important in this difficult climate that small and growing companies have good quality, affordable units to rent. Harlow Council is pleased to support local business in any way that it can and this centre is a big step forward. We are proud to be a partner in this project." 

The current economic strengths and specialisms of Harlow include research and development. The East of England Regional Spatial Strategy identifies Harlow as a key regional centre for university-level and research-based institutions, newer economic sectors and growth SMEs. Further studies have shown that high quality affordable accommodation suitable for new and growing businesses in the innovative sector is in short supply in Harlow. A stronger culture of entrepreneurism and innovation in Harlow is therefore high on the agenda.  The centre will look to:

1. create and grow new and young businesses with strong potential for commercial development and future growth in the innovative or knowledge-based industries;
2. assist their growth, sustainability, and onward development over the first 3 to 5 years of their existence through business support advice, guidance and training;
3. enhance the small business base of Harlow and the surrounding area, contribute to job creation, and reduce the dependence on a declining number of large businesses and diversify the local economy

Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA, said:
“The East of England is already home to world-class research companies, like GlaxoSmithKline, BT, Unilever and Astrium. EEDA’s £3 million support for this enterprise centre in Harlow will provide young ‘knowledge-based’ businesses – aspiring to reach this level – with a strong base from which to establish themselves and grow. With expert on-site advice and opportunities to network with like-minded companies, these ambitious businesses really will have a great opportunity to flourish in our region.” 

Earlier this year Harlow Council appointed the country’s largest enterprise agency NWES as the management operating company to establish and run the new facility.NWES have spent 26 years meeting the needs of businesses in the eastern region, with a proven record of promoting self-employment, assisting start up businesses and helping existing businesses to survive and grow. With a Head Office in Norwich the company manages eight business centres in the East of England. In the last three years alone they have helped create 1500 new businesses.  

Kevin Horne, NWES Chief Executive said:
“the Harlow Enterprise Hub is much more than a building. The differentiating factor will be the level of bespoke advice and training that any tenant can access – free of charge. NWES sees the Hub as being exactly that – the core of a new spirit of enterprise which will see Harlow achieve its true potential. Any entrepreneur or business that accesses our services and the supportive nature of a flexible tenancy at the Hub will have a better chance of surviving and thriving during the current downturn. This is an exciting time for the town and people of Harlow.” 

Units will be configured in a range of sizes, with larger open plan spaces on the top floor, offered on easy-in/easy-out terms. In the remaining area, the Centre will have on-site business support services, video conferencing, a presentation and meeting area, central reception, café, switchboard and answering services, centre and facilities management, and disabled access. There will also be a number of meeting rooms which may be hired out to external organisations and ‘virtual tenancy’ packages will be available for those wishing to benefit from the services offered at the Centre whilst not renting actual office space.

Occupants of the Centre, together with a wider network of young entrepreneurs, are to be offered bespoke on-site business support, mentoring and business education to support and accelerate their development on a robust basis.