At Stockport Business & Innovation Centre (SBIC), as well as flexible workspace you can receive valuable support and advice which will help give your business the best possible start.
Home to 70 businesses, SBIC’s Incubator Director Tony Corcoran provides tenants with a range of advice and guidance all aimed at supporting businesses, making them successful and sustainable ventures. Tony also connects businesses to other like-minded businesses and services that can facilitate the growth of their company.
Furthermore, the Centre’s Business Growth Programme offers tailored mentoring for growing companies to evaluate business opportunities and create structured development plans.
National statistics show that less than half of businesses survive the first five years of trading. However, research done by Oxford Innovation who manage SBIC on behalf of Stockport Council, shows that at least 10% of a company’s growth can be attributed to support from an Innovation Centre. The research also revealed that 40% of businesses recognise that they have achieved increased profitability as a result of being located within one of Oxford Innovation’s Centres.
In fact, during the last 12 months at SBIC:
• 67 businesses have received support from the Centre’s business support service
• 12 tenants have created new jobs
• 7 tenants have expanded their product range
• 8 tenants have entered new markets
One successful business who has received support from SBIC is Under Age Sales, they specialise in supporting retailers of age restricted products specifically in Stockport. Earlier this year they shared their expertise to Members of Parliament at Westminster about their fight against sales of tobacco to young people.
Tony Allen, Managing Director of Under Age Sales, said: “SBIC provides the perfect platform from which to run our business, in the full knowledge we’re working alongside other forward-thinking organisations who strive in their individual sectors. The facility allows for team expansion and intelligence sharing, and is a central hub in our region, providing us with great links to the rest of the UK. Furthermore, the advice and support offered from Tony Corcoran and the incubator’s other leaders is a constant source of guidance, ensuring that, as a business, we are continually evolving and achieving success.”
“SBIC has established itself as an excellent place to build a business and it’s very encouraging to hear that current businesses and tenants are enjoying growth with the help of SBIC.
Kate Butler, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration
Another company that has successfully grown whilst based at SBIC is MyBuzz Technologies, who specialise in mobile apps and small business software and solutions.
Chris Pimlott, founder of MyBuzz Technologies, said: “SBIC houses a great group of companies all committed to helping each other to grow. This includes the business support and centre management teams who have been proactive in supporting everyone, along with creating an environment which we are proud to call home.”
Councillor Kate Butler, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “SBIC has established itself as an excellent place to build a business and it’s very encouraging to hear that current businesses and tenants are enjoying growth with the help of SBIC. The Centre is alive with the buzz of true innovation, where entrepreneurs share expertise in an environment that’s incredibly well supported by a wealth of business advice all year round.”
