New opening date for Enterprise Centre in Raunds revealed ahead of another key milestone

A revised opening date for the new Enterprise Centre which will support businesses across East Northants has been revealed.

Representatives from East Northamptonshire Council (ENC) will mark a significant milestone over the coming weeks in the delivery of its £8 million flagship Enterprise Centre East Northants project as the council receives the keys and the building is officially transferred over.

The leader of East Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Steven North, and chairman of the working party, Cllr Glenvil Greenwood-Smith, will mark the occasion with the transfer of a large key and the official transfer of the completed buildings to ENC.

ASHE Construction have been working closely with TPI, project managers, to ensure that work continues on the enterprise centre during the current pandemic, which has seen many parts of the economy temporarily close.

It is hoped the centre will open its door to businesses across East Northamptonshire in July.

It will offer offices and workshops as well as business support, and will be operated by BizSpace who were appointed by ENC early this spring.

Leader of East Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Steven North, said: “The enterprise centre is one of the most pioneering projects we will deliver as a council, and I am delighted that we will soon be opening the doors to businesses and budding entrepreneurs across the district.

"The centre will not only offer fantastic facilities, but support will be on hand from a range of industry experts, BizSpace and the Council’s economic initiative, Enterprising East Northants.

“ASHE has worked incredibly hard to ensure that the project is high-quality, and under the current exceptional circumstances have ensured that the safety of their staff has been put first while delivering the project in a timely manner.

“We look forward to working with local enterprises over the coming years to not only succeed in their fields, but to also lead and drive economic recovery across our district.”

East Northamptonshire Council is working with SEMLEP, the University of Northampton, and other key partners to provide a collaborative response to the recovery of the local economy following the challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

This will be achieved through innovation and providing bespoke and sustained support to all sized businesses across all sectors.

This work has been pulled together through a local Economic Recovery Prospectus – “Recovery Through Enterprise” which has already convened and galvanised local and strategic partners to join up and accelerate a range of business and employment support initiatives.

ENC is working with Total Project Integration (TPI) and R H Partnership Architects to deliver the £8 million project.

ENC, which is funding the project, received £1.695 million support from the SEMLEP’s Local Growth Fund in order to deliver the centre as part of Enterprising East Northants, the council’s economic plan for sustainable job creation and business growth.

To register your interest or for more information please call 0808 1787 060 or visit www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/ecen

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