December 1, 2011 3.42 pm This story is over 146 months old

Bishop Grosseteste opens new business hub

Brighter start: Start-ups in the city can get a boost with Bishop Grosseteste University College’s new incubation centre.

Bishop Grosseteste officially opened its new custom-built business incubation hub, designed to help start-up businesses in their early stages of growth.

The centre, named BG Futures, was opened by Ken Taylor of Taylor Pearson Construction, handing over the keys to Professor Muriel Robinson, Principal of Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln (pictured).

The building cost £1.8 million to convert and can house 15 businesses, as well as “virtual office” facilities.

There are also meeting rooms and conference facilities and access to technical and academic support.

Eight of the 15 rooms have already been snapped up, and the new tenants will move in after Christmas.

Rents in the BG Futures centre start at £105 per month, up to £315, and hot desks start at £5 per hour.

A preview of the new BG Futures building

Bishop Grosseteste Enterprise Development Manager Mark Bowen says the incubation centre is different from others in the city:

“We want BG Futures to be a real community, not 15 individual businesses going their own way.

“There will be a whole range of businesses at different stages of development and we hope that those who are further on will support those who are just starting out.

“By creating an atmosphere of support and understanding we want to encourage people to take a risk, knowing that they are not alone in their venture.

“We want to work with them to improve their self-confidence and self-belief, to enhance their communication skills and feelings of self-worth and provide them with the tools and skills for business.”

Source: Shooting Star | Photos: Stuart Wilde