When it comes to choosing the right home for your business, an Enterprise Park can be a good place to look.
Boxpod visited Oakham Enterprise Park to find out what’s on offer for tenants there. It’s a prime example of reinventing an out of town site and providing more than just bricks and mortar. Well done OEP!
The 25-acre site on the outskirts of the Rutland town was once home to Ashwell Prison, Oakham. Inmates have given way to 92 commercial units today. Cell blocks and ancillary buildings have been converted into three zones for office, industrial and events.
The benefits for tenants are highlighted by James Frieland, OEP business manager: “We work with businesses – we aren’t just a landlord who’s collecting rent.”
James explains: “We offer business advice, help start ups with their business plans and everything. We can introduce new businesses to others who can help, assist with grant applications and so on. There are good networking opportunities. It’s busy, it’s friendly. It’s a very valuable community facility.
“Our objective is about helping businesses, creating jobs. Lease terms are very flexible – we are here to support businesses.”
With a shortage of affordable business accommodation in the county, demand is high. It’s appealing to former home-based enterprises and start ups. Also in residence are a children’s nursery, two private gyms and adult learning centre. It’s proving an ideal spot for event and film locations and its associated industries.
The former prison gym has been transformed into the Active Rutland Hub, a large sports centre available to local sports and community organisations which also provides conference and meeting facilities. There are several meeting rooms to hire by the day/hour by any business. There is naturally good security with the former prison fencing still in-situ at the site and ample parking, full services and access to superfast broadband.
With a ‘no retail’ caveat when Rutland County Council took over the site from the Ministry of Justice in 2013, it’s a hive of activity despite being restricted to non-retail operations. There are a whole host of people going about their daily work and it seems a helping hand is always close by.
Reasons why Boxpod applauds this site
- The planning and creativity has brought business life back to an unused site and buildings
- It’s meeting the surge in demand for affordable commercial units
- It’s listening to tenants and offering flexible lease terms and business support
For information email oakhamenterprisepark@rutland.gov.uk or visit their website: www.oakhamenterprisepark.com
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