Investment in Innovation

Businesses are benefiting from upgraded internet and phone systems at Chesterfield Borough Council’s two innovation centres.

Following IT upgrades tenants at Tapton Park and Dunston Innovation Centres now receive:

• 1GB high speed digital connectivity, boosting their ability to sell and promote their products and services online
• A state-of-the-art Mitel telephone system which enables tenants to work in agile ways, taking calls when away from the centres. All call charges are part of the managed services provided at the centres.

Councillor Tricia Gilby,  Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said:-

“A thriving local economy is our key priority. The provision of state-of-the-art facilities to encourage new business ventures as well as supporting more established businesses is essential to achieving that objective.”

Councillor Mick Wall, Chair of the Chesterfield Innovation Centres Management Board said:-

“Our innovation centres, supported by a team of excellent staff, provide a superb environment for businesses to grow and expand, providing valuable, high skilled jobs for local people.”

Hundreds of companies have used the centres over the years to successfully grow their businesses and feedback about the improvements is very positive:

Ian Ford, of First B2B said:-

“Coming to Tapton Park was one of the best decisions we have made and with the initiative of bringing in very high speed fibre and telephony we would struggle to find a better solution to our accommodation requirements anywhere else in the area.”

Matthew Brailsford, of Custom Solar, said:-

“Having vision for the future is why I love having my business at the Dunston Innovation Centre. With renewable energy, super fast broadband and affordable offices I cannot think of a better space close to Chesterfield.

“Along with fantastic centre staff who support local apprenticeships and innovative businesses I feel very much at home.”

Various office sizes are available at each centre and range from a virtual office or furnished rent a desk suite to offices from 202 sq ft to 1,500 sq ft.

Leases can be put in place quickly and have flexible easy in-easy out terms to encourage take-up. This allows businesses to be operational within a minimum time period and adjust quickly to their changing accommodation requirements as they develop.

Other key features include telephone, admin, post and reception support, a free on-site business advisor offering access to specialist innovation support and access at discounted rates to the conference and meeting rooms in both centres.

While the centres have high occupancy levels offices continuously become available as start-up businesses expand and move to bigger premises in the town.

Click here to see available business units at the Innovation Centres.