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Launch pad for business success


The new Winchester Business Centre was launched on Tuesday 2nd October, in the first of a series of events at the Parchment Street base.

Mayor of Winchester Cllr Chris Pines cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open Winchester Business Centre at 10 Parchment Street, with more than 40 guests watching on. A further 80 people were expected to attend for afternoon tea and evening drinks.

Sponsored by Penyards, the day-long event gave local business representatives a taste of the facilities on offer. Agreeing that it will be an invaluable resource, Graham Evans of Penyards said: “The opening of the business centre has been a great success. The true measure will be how we all embrace the opportunity and develop greater success for the beneficiaries, namely local business.”

The centre will provide a helping hand for businesses across the Winchester District, from budding entrepreneurs to long-established companies. Visitors can access advice, support and guidance in an enterprise-focussed environment and benefit from meeting space, specialist ‘surgeries’ and training days all under one roof.

Also delighted to see the launch day come around was Leader of Winchester City Council Cllr George Beckett. He said: “The City Council has put the health of the local economy high on its list of priorities in recent years, and I consider this to be a flagship project.

“As such,” he added, “we have made a significant investment in the business centre. We look forward to seeing a return on this investment as new enterprises spring up and more established organisations seize the opportunity to put Winchester on the map as a creative and dynamic place to do business.”

The business centre project is a joint initiative between Winchester City Council, North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Winchester City Centre Partnership and the University of Winchester.

The project has generated further support from the business community during its development with nine private sector sponsors now backing the scheme. The business centre will also be the base for the recently announced Winchester Business Improvement District (BID).

Chair of the Winchester City Centre Partnership board, Jeremy France, is pleased with the level of support but would also like to encourage others to come forward. He said: “The sponsorship we have received so far shows the high levels of interest and enthusiasm the business community has for this project.”

He added: “We are keen to get more sponsors on board to develop further facets of the business centre such as a mailbox service and administrative support for small businesses.”

Facilities on offer at the Business Centre include:
-          Flexible meeting space - from informal open plan office space to a formal board room setting accommodating up to 12 people.
-          Wireless internet
-          Self service printing, photocopying, scanning and fax facilities at affordable rates. 
-          The latest presentation technology to meet current and future business needs.

The Winchester Business Centre will be open from 9:30am to 4:30pm, Tuesday to Thursday to begin with. The Chamber of Commerce and the City Centre Partnership will be based in the centre, and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of services.  Room bookings and appointments may also be taken outside these hours by calling 0845 371 5280.  You can find out more from www.winchester.gov.uk/BusinessCentre

Notes:
Catering for the day’s events was generously provided by Fosters Event Catering and all floral displays were produced and sponsored by Flowers by Caroline. 

Associate sponsors of Winchester business centre are; Royal Bank of Scotland, Denplan, Thornfield Properties, Pitman Training, Technilink, Hampshire Chronicle, Sparsholt College, Original 106 and Condor Office Solutions.

For more information about Winchester Business Centre, contact Kate Crawford, Economic Development Officer, Winchester City Council on 01962 848 563 or email kcrawford@winchester.gov.uk          

For further information about the work of Winchester City Centre Partnership and the BID, contact Graham Love, City Centre Manager, Winchester City Centre Partnership on 01962 850 390 or email ccp@wincity.uk.com

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