Jobs created as file storage firm expands
Document management firm Paper Escape has created 12 jobs after securing funding to move to new premises.
The D2 Enterprise Growth Fund (D2EGF), managed in partnership by Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council, has enabled the Derbyshire company to relocate to purpose built premises.
A grant of £146,979 secured the future of nine existing jobs while creating 12 positions.
Paper Escape was founded in 2007 and provides electronic document storage solutions as well as document storage and secure shredding services.
The company soon outgrew its home-based office and in 2012 moved to an older warehouse in Chinley, Derbyshire. Within just a few years, demand for the service exceeded expectations and a relocation was needed to allow the company to manage existing customer demands and take advantage of opportunities to grow.
Experiencing difficulty finding appropriate premises nearby, the company’s directors were faced with a choice to either move out of the area, putting nine jobs at risk, or to find an available plot on which to build a modern industrial unit.
A local farmer and retired local business owner offered director Adrian Hill a plot of land suitable for the building.
“The grant from D2EGF was critical in enabling us to move forward with our plans for Paper Escape”, says Hill. “Our existing premises were holding the company back. Without quality office space and sufficient storage we were limited in the level of service we could offer existing customers and restricted in what new business we could acquire. Thanks to the purpose built facilities we are now expanding and diversifying, improving our service to current customers whilst taking on larger projects that would have been impossible in our previous base. We were lucky to have help from many people throughout the project but quite simply it was the grant funding that made this a reality.”
Cllr Tony King, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said:“Small businesses are a significant part of the Derbyshire economy so it’s important that we continue to support them as much as possible. We welcome this opportunity to help a local company grow and create jobs.”
Derby City Council deputy leader Cllr Martin Rawson, added: “Many businesses have the potential to grow and develop but don’t always have the cash flow available when they need it. Paper Escape are an excellent example of how funding made available at the right time can benefit an SME. On behalf of Derby City Council, I am delighted to see the Fund helping to stimulate growth and create jobs locally.”
