PRESS RELEASE
Monday, 11th March, 2013
New home for Wellingborough Innovation Centre
Alternative sites are being sought for a Wellingborough business centre after its landlords gave all of the resident companies three months’ notice.
Tresham College, which hosts the Wellingborough Innovation Centre at its campus in the town’s Church Street, sent the 10 firms based at the hub letters on February 18 telling them it would be closed by May.
The Innovation Centre opened in 2002 after grants from Wellingborough Council, the now-defunct East Midlands Development Agency and Northamptonshire Partnerships (now Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership) funded a complete refurbishment of four floors of the Tresham tower block. Oxford Innovation, which runs the centre, and Tresham also contributed cash towards the project.
Almost 50 people are employed by the 10 companies located at the centre, while 11 other firms use its meetings rooms and call-handling facility.
Alan Piggot, president of the Wellingborough Chamber of Commerce, said: “We believe this facility has been of immense benefit to the business community, providing much-needed accommodation for small businesses and a centre for young entrepreneurs to launch their ventures.
“The loss of this facility will be a severe blow not only for the businesses and 45 employees that are located in the centre but also to the wider community.
“We understand there are other sites being sought, however, the very short notice that has been given does not give much opportunity for Oxford Innovation or the businesses to arrange the alternative accommodation.”
The move to stunt commerce in Wellingborough comes as one of the regional Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, based at Tresham College in Kettering, last week marked International Women’s Day by calling for young female entrepreneurs to “unlock their hidden potential and realise their business ambitions”.
Notes to editors
• For further details, to arrange an interview or for photographs email oliver.jelley@ojpr.co.uk or call 07803 003811.
• For more information about Wellingborough Chamber of Commerce visit: www.wellingboroughchamber.co.uk.
• Wellingborough Innovation Centre provides affordable offices, flexible office space, virtual offices and meeting rooms in a professional, serviced environment with parking and within walking distance of the town.