New business support service set for Hereford

AN award-winning business support service run by the University of Wolverhampton is set to open in the heart of Hereford’s Enterprise Zone.

The Hereford Business Solutions Centre, based at Skylon Park, opens on November 12 and is set to offer businesses based in the Marches LEP area (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin) a wide range of support services designed to help them achieve sustainable growth.

Professor Ian Oakes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Wolverhampton, said: “I am delighted that we are now able to extend our support for businesses into Hereford.”
The university’s Hereford Business Solutions Centre will be operated on the highly successful model which has been used in the past at the Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre. It will be run by the same team who have won a string of national awards.

“The support on offer will include start-up advice with workshops and mentoring, access to technology (from drone hire to cyber security support), leadership and development programmes, seminars, events and networking opportunities,” said Oakes.

“We will also be giving guidance on key business growth areas such as export and internationalisation, intellectual property, building information modelling (BIM), supply chain and procurement, and the opportunity to tap into expert knowledge through part funded programmes such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.”

The centre is working collaboratively with key business organisations in the region through the Marches Growth Hub, with the hub’s Herefordshire team based at the centre in Skylon Park. 

For start-ups looking for a base there is an enterprise hub at the centre, with hot-desking facilities, incubation space and breakout areas all being offered at competitive rates. Dedicated space can also be hired out for meetings and events, including a contemporary boardroom and a flexible, large seminar room.

An upcoming programme of business events will be announced at the opening.

Bill Jackson, chairman of the Enterprise Zone Board, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome the University of Wolverhampton’s Business Solutions Centre to Skylon Court.

“It is very apt that the first tenant to move in to this fantastic development on the Enterprise Zone will be a facility dedicated to encouraging businesses here to achieve their potential by providing access to a wide range of support, activities and services.”

The University of Wolverhampton also runs Business Solutions Centres in Telford and Sandwell, in collaboration with local partners.

Close