Posted on Thursday 24th November 2022
Peter Haddock, Content With Media
Small businesses are now operating in Staffordshire’s new enterprise centre – making the most of its flexible tenancies and ideal town centre location.
With varying office space, meeting room hire or mailbox facilities to register business addresses, any company or sole trader is being urged to get in touch to find out how they can benefit.
The Shire Hall Business Centre, which opened in July following a £2million fit out, is located at the rear of the building in the area which used to accommodate Stafford’s library.
Like the county council’s other enterprise centres, it offers office space, reception facilities, meeting areas, networking opportunities and business advice and support. The units range from 97 sqft to 323 sqft and there are flexible working options including hot desking and the option to rent a mailbox.
Next Wednesday, November 30, people can take a tour of the business centre and assembly hall and ask any questions during an open afternoon between 2pm and 4pm. No appointments are needed – visitors can just call in at the Market Street reception area.
Content With Media is one of the businesses which has taken a unit at Shire Hall Business Centre. Run by Peter Haddock, the company creates a range of media content from videos to podcasts, as well as articles, live streaming and hosting events.
Peter said:
As a small business founded in July 2019 and based in Stafford, we are experiencing a high level of demand for our services so needed to expand and take on staff.
This required a move to office premises, so when we saw the Shire Hall development we just knew we had found our new home. It’s a fantastic modern workspace in an amazing heritage building, right in the town centre that our staff can easily access. We have a great office but also access to meeting rooms and breakout spaces which our clients are already taking advantage of.
We are also looking forward to being part of what will be a vibrant business hub in Stafford, where likeminded people can collaborate and share ideas. You only have to set foot in this place to see why you would want to be a part of it.”
Stafford Chamber of Commerce has also relocated to Shire Hall Business Centre. Manager Declan Riddell said:
As the voice of the local business community we’re delighted to be based in our new home at Shire Hall, right in the very heart of the county town. Shire Hall Business Centre will become a thriving business hub for both the tenant businesses based here and those who prefer a hybrid approach to working, using the hot desking facilities. The building has been beautifully renovated to create a bright and colourful working environment. We look forward to supporting the businesses who work from here.”
Centre management is based in the building, which offers an ideal town centre location, close to amenities like the railway station and cafes.
Any businesses wanting to find out more about unit costs and availability, or that wants to book a viewing at any time, should contact Samantha Neal, centre administrator, at samantha.neal@staffordshire.gov.uk
Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said:
It’s great to see companies operating from the Shire Hall Business Centre and that it has made such a good impression. The excellent facilities and town centre location are a real draw and we’d urge any small businesses interested in basing themselves at Shire Hall, whether full time or part of the working week, to get in touch with the team here.
The centre could provide them with the ideal environment to grow and thrive with flexible tenancies and a support team on-site.
Having the Shire Hall open again and in productive use is important for Stafford and will play a significant part in the wider regeneration of the town.”