SME support centre invests £750,000 into expansion
A WARWICKSHIRE science park is investing £750,000 into a new resource centre to help flourishing SMEs continue their growth.
The investment forms phase 2 of the Rural Innovation Centre at Stoneleigh Park.
The investment will see an existing building on the site refurbished to create an additional 20 serviced offices and two meeting rooms.
Such is demand for such facilities i9n the area that14 of the offices have already been let to ambitious firms.
One of the new businesses is DNA Nutritional Therapy and Skin Clinic which has been set up Lee-Ann Hughes, a qualified nutritional therapist who works with clients to help them improve and regain their health.
Ms Hughes said: “I’m delighted to launch my business in phase two of the Rural Innovation Centre. It was created to help new businesses grow and provides a really flexible environment.”
The first phase of the Rural Innovation Centre is part of the Warwickshire Rural Growth Network, funded by DEFRA and led by Warwickshire County Council on behalf of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Wallis Lynch, a specialist accountancy recruitment firm, joined the first phase in December 2014 and due to the company’s success it is now set to move into a larger office within phase two.
Founded by local entrepreneur Claire Maclachlan in 2013, she and her father Tim Maclachlan, who is an ex-banking professional, have guided the company into a strong position which saw the arrival of two additional recruiters.
Since then, the company’s continued success has seen it grow to employ nine people and launch another office in the East Midlands.
Ms Maclachlan said: “We are looking to grow to 12 consultants over the few months in our new offices.
“The Rural Innovation Centre set up is perfect for those needing flexible space in order to facilitate growth.”
Liz Burkinshaw, manager of the Rural Innovation Centre, said: “The centre was established to help businesses flourish, and we look forward to supporting even more new and expanding businesses in the future.”
