Work has begun on a new £1.5m business centre with a top level environmental rating in Ludlow.
The Enterprise Centre has been designed to provide sustainable workspaces for up to 21 businesses, with the potential to create almost 100 jobs.
Cllr Lee Chapman, deputy leader and economic portfolio holder of South Shropshire District Council, got the work underway today (FEB 6) by performing a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on Ludlow Eco Park, part of the £16m Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ) project.
The Enterprise Centre has been designed to achieve a rating of ‘Excellent’ under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
The RRZ project has been created to develop a strategic network of eight centres to support entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Ludlow Enterprise Centre will provide 18 offices and three workshops.
Cllr Chapman said: “It is important for new businesses to start off on the right foot and to be provided with the choice of sustainable workspaces from which they can develop. This Rural Enterprise Centre is an important development for Ludlow and will offer our small business community a wonderful opportunity for growth within an outstanding environment.”
Peter Pawsey, Chairman of the Rural Regeneration Zone, added his support: “This development is in line with the Government’s proposed strategy that by the end of 2008, 20% of all new buildings over £1 million are to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’. Demand is changing and it is not just big corporations with CSR policies that wish to occupy environmentally approved premises. We have an important part to play in ensuring start-up and small businesses who are environmentally conscientious don’t have to sacrifice their green credentials in order to find suitable workspace.”
Tom Stokes, Evans Easyspace managing director, said: “We have a key role in creating a truly sustainable future for the long-term success of an area. I am therefore delighted to see work begin on this Rural Enterprise Centre in Ludlow that will offer small and growing businesses the unique Evans Easyspace easy-in, easy-out terms for maximum flexibility and also boasts an environmental stamp of approval.”
Work on site has started and it is anticipated the new centre, being built by contractor SJ Roberts Construction Ltd, will be open September 2008. During the construction phase it is estimated that up to 26 people will be employed on site at any one time.
SJ Roberts Construction is one of Shropshire and Mid Wales’ leading independent contractors, with extensive experience of delivering high quality and environmentally sound projects. Managing Director, Michael Sambrook, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as the construction partner for the business centre because, as a company we always favour projects that clearly benefit their communities, as we’re sure this will.”
For further information call 0800 039 3900 or visitwww.evanseasyspace.com