Bassetlaw District Council has officially opened its thriving new business hub in Worksop town centre, providing facilities and support for up to 30 small and micro businesses.
Middletons Yard, which saw a number of buildings with historical significance sympathetically regenerated into a modern and contemporary business hub, was officially opened by the Council’s Chair, Cllr Deborah Merryweather, along with other dignitaries and partners who were integral to the project.
After welcoming its first tenants in December 2022, it has since become a base for 22 businesses. This includes companies in a diverse number of sectors including finance, transport, green technology and fostering services in addition to an independent café called Secret Garden.
Cllr Deborah Merryweather, Chair of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “It was wonderful to be able to officially open this building and speak with many of the people who now base their businesses here. I would like to thank all of the partners who were involved in this project and helped to make it all possible.
“We know that in order to support our towns and our independent businesses, places like Middletons Yard need to be created so that small and micro businesses have the opportunity to get started and grow to their full potential. This is reflected in the Council's recently-adopted Vision 2040 strategy and our ambition for Bassetlaw to be a great place to do business.”
Match-funding of £1.8 million was provided by D2N2 and Midlands Engine through the ‘Unlocking Growth in N2 Town Centres’ programme. Additional funding of £108,000 was provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Middletons Yard provides managed office space over two floors in its main building, three floors in a second building and additional self-contained offices in the historic Brewers Yard section. The buildings have been designed to offer flexible spaces and to include two dedicated meeting rooms and break-out areas to encourage networking between businesses. The hub also accommodates a co-working space and virtual tenancies for start-ups and micro businesses.
In addition to office space, the Council’s Economic Development Team provide occupants with a wrap-around business support service that includes access to start-up Enterprise Grants, pre-start up advice and training, links to supply chains, and skills and recruitment support.
In addition to supporting local businesses, Middletons Yard is also supporting the high street by bringing additional footfall to Worksop town centre. Public spaces are an integral part of the site to increase accessibility in the town centre and provide easy access to the high street and public transport hubs.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Business and Skills, Cllr Jo White, said: “I was delighted to invite Jonathan Reynolds MP to jointly open Middletons Yard because Bassetlaw District Council's model of supporting local businesses is a standard that many other authorities view with envy.
“It is important that we share achievements and initiatives like Middletons Yard with senior politicians like Jonathan, who was very impressed with what he saw, supporting local business whilst bringing a derelict site back to life.”
If you would like to know more about Middletons Yard or enquire about the four remaining available office spaces, please visit www.middletonsyard.co.uk or call 01909 384 811.
Comments