New Canal-Side Business Centre Helps Kick-Start Regeneration
A new business
centre was officially launched in Rochdale today, offering an ideal location
for ‘next stage’ companies.
The Lock 50 business centre (next to Lock 50 of the canal on Oldham Road)
is in a prime area earmarked for millions of pounds of investment in the
coming years.
The £1.8 million development has been led by Rochdale Council and
the construction of the three storey building has been managed Pennine Land,
the development arm of Rochdale Development Agency. It was funded by Rochdale
Council, SRB5, the North West Regional Development Agency and the European
Regional Development Fund.
The 12,000sq ft centre, being managed by North Manchester Enterprise Group,
provides excellent business space for expanding companies. And its first
tenant has already moved in - Rochdale Development Agency has relocated its
full operation from Partnership House in the town’s Sparrow Hill.
Councillor Alan Taylor, who has been leader of Rochdale Council since 2006,
said: “We continually strive to create an environment where businesses
can grow. Creating new jobs and increasing prosperity is a key priority.
Although we look to the private sector to play a leading role in this, the
council also works alongside our partners to provide the additional support
businesses need.”
Cllr Taylor continued: “We see Lock 50 as the perfect stepping stone
for companies that have outgrown the council’s Globe House managed
offices, allowing them to thrive, then eventually outgrow this space and
possibly move to Kingsway Business Park. Lock 50 will become a hub of enterprise
activity and will provide a catalyst for the whole area around the Canal
Basin.”
Lock 50 is Pennine Land’s first new build project. Established by
Rochdale Development Agency, Pennine Land will carry out commercial and residential
development schemes, with profits being reinvested in regeneration initiatives
in the borough. Last year the organisation delivered the successful refurbishment
of a former police station in Heywood into a managed workspace. The company
operates at the interface between the public and private sectors.
Bob Dyson, the chairman of Pennine Land and Head of Development Consultancy
Jones Lang LaSalle (North West) said: “Pennine Land is unusual in that
any profits from developments are pumped back into regenerating the local
area.
“We are delighted to have completed our first new build project,
building on the success of our first major refurbishment of The Old Police
Station (TOPS) in Heywood. It is now a thriving managed workspace supporting
a variety of small businesses with big ambitions. Like that project, Lock
50 has been delivered on time and on budget and we hope it will have the
same impact. We aim to promote environmentally sustainable developments and
to attract new businesses into urban areas.”
Lock 50 offers quality, flexible office accommodation from 381 sq ft at
economic rents. The managed service includes phone answering and secretarial
services, parking facilities and a conference room. To find out more about
available office space contact Ania Stark, Centre Administrator at North
Manchester Enterprise Group on 01706 751152.
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