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Local business is first to sign up to new flexible premises scheme

by Uncategorized

A Leamington entrepreneur has become the first tenant to sign up to a new £5.5 million flexible business premises scheme in Warwickshire.

Danny Ahern, owner of freight forwarding and logistics recruitment specialist DEOS Staffing, will move operations to the new Space Business Centre Warwick when it opens next month.

The Leamington-based business owner is the first company to sign a licence agreement at the park, which is aimed at start-ups and fast-growing business wanting flexible units to promote growth.

The move will see Danny take the business out of his home and into its first official premises.

DEOS Staffing is a specialist recruitment firm for the freight and manufacturing industry, working with clients in the UK, US and Europe.

Danny, an experienced recruitment professional, launched the business in 2020 to support one of the few sectors that kept going during Covid-19.

He said: “I had been looking for a first real HQ for the business for a while, and when I saw that units were available at Space I jumped at the chance.

“We have employees based in the US and Europe, and we have all worked remotely up to now, but Space Warwick will give us the opportunity to have a recognised headquarters, which will be increasingly important as the business grows.

“The whole process has been incredibly smooth and we can’t wait to get started.”

The move will allow Danny to continue his growth plans from a local headquarters, with the security of a 30-day rolling agreement.

Sixty-one units are currently under construction at Space Business Centre Warwick, ranging in size from 285 sq ft to 840 sq ft along with two facilities blocks containing a kitchen, toilets and shower room.

One or two car-parking spaces will be allocated to each unit and there will be 12 electric car charging points installed along with solar panels on some of the roofs and a cycle shelter at the 35,000 sq ft development.

Mark Edwards, Managing Director of AC Lloyd Commercial, said: “Interest in Space Business Centre Warwick is really ramping up as we near completion, and we are thrilled that our first tenant is local to the site.

“The fact that we are receiving lots of interest from Warwickshire entrepreneurs is in line with the scheme’s aim to support and facilitate growth for businesses in the region, and we are looking forward to seeing Danny’s progress.”

Fill Your Boots

Zero-waste shop celebrates third anniversary at Space

by Uncategorized

A Gloucester nurse is celebrating her third year helping people cut down on plastic after opening a zero-waste essentials shop during the pandemic.  

Private care nurse and mum of three, Louise Coleman launched loose food and home essentials shop Fill Your Boots at Space Business Centre Gloucester in January 2020.

Having been open only a matter of weeks before the pandemic and facing an uncertain future, Louise is now celebrating her third year in operation and is hoping to reach more of the Gloucestershire public.

The outlet offers customers a range of loose food, household items and eco-friendly products with a focus on sustainable, packaging-free shopping, as well as zero-waste party pack hires.

Louise was inspired to start the business after her children made her more aware of the impact plastic packaging has on the environment.

She said: “The pandemic was unintentionally a great time for me to start the business. Customers were able to spend more time choosing their purchases and thinking reflectively about the food they purchased, and lots of them have shopped with us ever since.

“The flexibility offered by units at the Space Business Centre also helped with the changing of restrictions, meaning we were able to respond quickly to keep customers safe.

“The short-term contracts available also helped to ease my worries during that time of upheaval and have given me the flexibility to grow my business the way I want to.

“With all my children attending school from next year, I am hoping to really grow the business and with the potential to move into a new unit, the future is looking bright.”

Space Business Centres Gloucester and Cheltenham are owned by property development company AC Lloyd and offer flexible, multi-use units ranging from 275 to 775 sq ft.

Lucy Iles, site manager at AC Lloyd Space Business in Gloucester and Cheltenham, said: “It is absolutely brilliant to see how much Fill Your Boots has grown since arriving at the Space Business Park in Gloucester.

“Fill Your Boots is a wonderful member of the community here as we continue to expand our retail offering, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy a different way of food shopping that helps customers reduce their impact on the environment while enjoying a friendly and engaging shopping experience.”

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Gloucester man to take on London Marathon for charity in memory of keen runner dad

by EventsNewsUncategorized

A Gloucester business owner is preparing to take on the London Marathon 2022 in memory of his father, and has set his sights on a fundraising feat to give back to the charity that cared for his dad.

James Brown, owner of JB Event Hire at Space Business Centre in Gloucester, is hoping to raise £5,000 for Sue Ryder as he prepares for the big race on Sunday, October 2.

James, who started running 10ks and half-marathons after his dad, Ian, passed away following a six-year battle with cancer, is hosting a series of fundraising activities for #TeamSueRyder, starting with a charity car wash on Sunday, April 3 from 10am until 4pm.

Sue Ryder, which is based locally at the Leckhampton Court Hospice, provided end-of-life care to Ian and bereavement support to James and his family as his condition deteriorated.

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2014, Ian started running, against medical advice, to stay fit and raise money for Cancer Research UK. He completed the London Marathon in 2016, raising over £20k for a variety of charities despite having his right lung removed two years before.

Ian had been accepted on to the London Marathon in 2019, but was unable to take part as his condition began to restrict his mobility.

In the summer of 2020, doctors found more than 20 inoperable tumours on his brain. Sue Ryder commenced palliative care at Ian’s home, visiting at least twice a day to support Ian and his family.

On August 16, 2020, Ian was taken to the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice for round-the-clock care. In the midst of the pandemic James was unable to visit the hospice, but care teams were at the end of the phone so the family could get updates as often as they liked. He died two days later.

James said: “My dad was given six months to live after his first diagnosis, but proved the doctors wrong and he made it to six years. I started running in May 2020 in the hope of running alongside him, but sadly never got the chance.

“I’ve caught the running bug over the last couple of years and doing 10k runs has helped me to lose three-and-a-half stone while doing something that connects me to my dad.

“I completed the Cheltenham Half Marathon in September 2021 in support of Sue Ryder, and now I’ve got my sights on the TCS London Marathon to give something back for their incredible support.

“We’ve set a £5,000 fundraising target, and are kicking off with a charity car wash at Space Business Centre in Quedgeley.

“We are looking at hosting some other fundraising activities in the build-up to October to help us reach our target, but we’d love to see people in the local area showing their support.”

Matt Reay, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have James on #TeamSueRyder for the TCS London Marathon 2022. James is a huge supporter of the hospice, running events and raising vital funds but also volunteering his time, like collecting hundreds of Christmas trees as part of our Treecycling initiative in January.

“As a charity we are heavily reliant on the fundraising and volunteering support of local people, organisations and groups so we can continue to be there when it matters. We wish James all the best in his training and fundraising ahead of the big day in October.”

Space Business Centre Gloucester, which is owned by property development company AC Lloyd, is providing additional site space and support for the charity car wash.

A minimum donation of £5 is required, with tea, coffee and cake available from Nicky’s Cakes & Bakes.

Lucy Iles, site manager at Space Business Centres in Gloucester and Cheltenham, said: “Cancer has changed the life of so many wonderful people and I admire James for stepping up to raise money for such a worthy local cause.

“We at Space Cheltenham and Gloucester are behind him every step of the way and will be cheering him on to cross the finish line, as well as rolling up our sleeves to help wash some cars on the 3rd.”

For more information and to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-brown229

Caption: James Brown, owner of JB Event Hire in Gloucester, is hoping to raise £5,000 for #TeamSueRyder when he takes on the London Marathon in October