East Northants' new £8 million Enterprise Centre ready to welcome its first tenants

It is hoped the centre will create up to 785 jobs in the first 10 years

East Northants' new £8m Enterprise Centre is set to welcome its first tenants through the door.

Work started on the centre at Warth Park in Raunds last summer and will be opening early this month.

The Northants Telegraph was given exclusive access to look around the centre which it is hoped will increase and improve the skills base in the area as well as provide a space which will create up to 785 jobs in the first 10 years.

Several businesses have already signed up and with 18 viewings in just six days, it looks like more companies could be joining them soon.

Interest has come from businesses in various fields including IT, accountancy, web design and technology.

With 14 workshops and 68 offices to choose from as well as free on-site parking, it is hoped the units will start filling up soon.

Centre manager Fiona Wells has run similar centres and with a proven track record in getting them to 100 per cent occupancy, she is keen to do the same here.

Local businesses and entrepreneurs will have access to a range of support and expertise to nurture and grow their business, including regular networking events to meet other businesses based there.

It is anticipated that the centre will provide business support to 205 businesses in the first 10 years.

Greg MacDonald, head of economic development at East Northants Council, believes SMEs are the way to get the economy moving again after Covid-19 and the Enterprise Centre is the perfect place to do this.

He said: "The backbone of our economy is the SMEs.

"Now is the time for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship."

He said they want companies to come in and stay for up to three years before moving on, with the churn of businesses being key for the local economy.

The project has been delivered by East Northants Council and two meeting rooms have been named in memory of former councillors, Cllr Philip Hardcastle and Cllr Glenn Harwood who both served as deputy leader of the authority.

Cllr Steven North said: "We thought it was a nice thing to do and the families were really pleased."

To register your interest or for more information about the centre click here or call 0808 1787060.

Take a look around the new centre with our picture gallery below: