Retford: Business is booming at enterprise centre

Bassetlaw Council opened the centre, on Randall Way, in November 2010 to provide a mix of office, meeting and networking space, including fledgling and starter units, designed to help entrepreneurs incubate and grow their businesses.

And three years later the centre in now fully let and the council has a waiting list of prospective tenants.

The council has also support the centre by setting up The Enterprise Club, a mentoring service and a broadband rollout project.

Councillor Jo White, cabinet member for regeneration at Bassetlaw Council said: “If you are a start-up or an entrepreneur with an idea then there is no better place to do business than Bassetlaw.”

“The success of the Retford Enterprise Centre shows that with the right conditions and support new businesses can flourish.”

“One of the great things about the centre is the networking and interaction between the tenants and centre staff, there is a genuine atmosphere and culture of enterprise.”

Robert Wilkinson, economic development manager at Bassetlaw Council said: “When we undertook this project the intention was not only to have a well occupied building but to be a hub for entrepreneurial activity in the Retford area.”

“The centre is achieving this through the provision of seminars, working closely with local businesses and networks to ensure that the needs of local entrepreneurs are being met.”

“The success of the centre is also down to the high level of marketing and business networking undertaken by the staff and the fantastic service they offer to tenants and visitors alike.”

“However, we cannot afford to be complacent and need to look forward in promoting enterprise more to our community.”