BUDDING entrepreneurs considering their first commercial base could find the answer in Start-Up Street, with new centres being developed across Renfrewshire.
Start-Up Street is the Renfrewshire Council initiative offering new and growing businesses low-cost, high-quality workspace.
It is already proving to be a success in Paisley, where 30 small businesses benefit from facilities in George Street.
Now two more Start-Up Street centres are being built – in Johnstone and Renfrew.
Subsidised premise costs cover the workspace, wifi, utility bills and provide access to meeting space, with lease costs incrementally increased until the business owner is ready to move to an alternative commercial space in Renfrewshire.
The sites in Paisley and Renfrew have an enterprise manager to provide support, while all centres have access to free Business Gateway advice as part of the package.
In Johnstone, the Start-Up Street will focus on supporting health and wellbeing businesses and form part of the new Station Seven premises run by Active Communities, with traders able to work with community groups and people using its facilities.
In Renfrew, significant refurbishment and upgrade works are being undertaken to transform vacant retail units in Dunlop Crescent. External improvements to the shop fronts and enabling works inside are now complete, with the internal fit-out starting next month.
After visiting the Start-Up Street sites in Renfrew and Johnstone, Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “It’s great to see the progress being made on the new Start-Up Street centres.
“I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Start-Up Street in Paisley to meet business owners who told me how it is helping them – and I’m delighted we are expanding this excellent offer to help even more Renfrewshire businesses.
“The initial idea came from a local business survey which showed many Renfrewshire business owners wanted to take the next step and open their first commercial space but were put off by high costs and a lack of know-how.
“Start-Up Street provides the answer and, with each based in a town centre, it provides an important boost to the local economy too.”
For more about the opportunities on offer to businesses, call 0141 530 2406 or email renfrewshire@bgateway.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here