Government asks SME advisers to manage empty buildings
Publicly owned buildings in Runcorn, Bolton, Crewe and Blackpool are to be made available for start-up businesses.
Eighteen locations across England have been identified as having the potential to be used by aspiring entrepreneurs to build and grow their businesses.
Government is now inviting incubation and business start-up organisations, which help new and existing small businesses, to manage and allocate these spaces. These organisations will also provide businesses moving into the space with valuable support and advice.
Enterprise minister Mark Prisk said: "Many entrepreneurs struggle to find a suitably flexible and affordable space to start their business, so this is a practical measure which the Government is taking to support the next generation of businesses. Opening up areas that are not being used will give entrepreneurs access to the space they need to start and grow."
The Government, working in co-operation with landlords, will offer as much space as possible to small businesses, giving them room to grow at a low cost.
Anyone interested in managing the spaces can register their interest at www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk . The process will be open until 29 June 2012.
Opening up empty properties to SMEs will involve flexible, short-term arrangements that will make productive use of the assets while they are otherwise sitting empty. The Government's ultimate aim for these assets remains to exit leases or sell buildings where they are not needed, generating savings for taxpayers.
The following buildings are part of the scheme:
- Atlas House, Bolton
- Crewe Electra Way, Crewe
- Crewe Nantwich House, Crewe
- Church Street, Blackpool
- Castle View House, Runcorn
