5 February 2010 10/26
Business successes as
Investment Centre celebrates 5th birthday
Follow in the footsteps of successful businesses and make the
right move to the flagship West Lancashire Investment Centre as it
celebrates its 5th birthday.
Since opening its doors in January
2005, the £5.5 million centre at its prime location on White Moss
Business Park, just off Junction 4 of the M58, has gone from
strength to strength, helping businesses to grow and prosper.
In the five years that it has been
running, the Centre has played an important role in helping
companies develop and expand and there are many inspirational
stories to be told.
Take ‘Loaf’ for example. The
creative company was one of the first to move into the Investment
Centre when it first opened. Since that time they have grown from 2
to 7 members of staff and in September 2008 they purchased their
own office premises just across from the Investment Centre on White
Moss Business Park and have also recently opened a second studio in
Liverpool.
Alan Houghton, Creative Director at
Loaf, said: "The Investment Centre was a great place to start up
our business because it’s such an impressive building and the level
of support we received from staff was brilliant. In our first year
we received a grant from them to help with our rent and we were
provided with lots of business networking opportunities, which has
helped us to expand and move on to buy our own premises."
Virtue Technologies is another great success story. The business
was only founded in February 2006 but has expanded its offices
within the Investment Centre building from 17sq.m to 109 sq.m and
increased its workforce. Sales Director Phil Lawson feels that
having a business address within the reputable Investment Centre
has helped to build Virtue’s reputation and is particularly
complimentary about the support he has received.
He said: "We have been extremely appreciative of all the help we
have received from staff at the centre who have given us some
invaluable business advice and training. It has certainly helped us
to develop our business quickly and expand."
The Investment Centre is home to
companies from a range of sectors including creative industries,
financial, professional and I.T. based services, all of whom
benefit from the high-tech, top quality facilities provided in this
purpose built environment.
It is a great place to be located
because it offers:
-
Modern and flexible office accommodation, including incubator
units that are ideal for new or small businesses
-
State-of-the art conference facilities and meeting rooms
-
A purpose built business cafe with free wireless
connectivity
-
Excellent business networking opportunities
-
Business support from qualified advisors
-
A virtual office facility that provides businesses with the
opportunity to work from home whilst having a professional
high-profile business address, which ensures minimal overheads
Cllr Adrian Owens, Portfolio Holder
for Regeneration and Estates, said:"The Investment Centre is the
perfect environment which offers everything from quality office
space to high-tech facilities that cater for all your business
needs. More uniquely, a range of financial and strategic business
support is available from our qualified business advisors to assist
businesses through their stages of growth and development.
Everything is in place to help a business like yours really thrive
- so what are you waiting for!"
The good news is that there are a
few vacant office suites available for rent on flexible lease terms
and discount on rents (although this is a limited offer).
The Centre is easily accessible off
Junction 4 of the M58 and is ideally located in the heart of the
North West, providing easy access to the region's motorway network
with the added benefit of free on-site parking.
For more information, please
contact Clare Joynson, Investment Centre Manager, on 01695 712600,
or log onto www.westlancashireinvestmentcentre.com
(external link)
For more information about what other business support the
Council offers, contact 01695 577177, email info.edu@westlancs.gov.uk or
visit the Council’s website www.westlancs.gov.uk/enterprising.
Related information