Sustainable Enterprise Strategies

Transcription

1 Sustainable Enterprise Strategies

2 Sunderland Shipping container development sets sail A BUILDING with a difference has risen from the ashes of the old River Wear Club in Hendon. The new Co-operative Centre on Whitehouse Road replaces the old one on Mowbray Road, which is due for demolition. Constructed from 37 reconditioned shipping containers, the eye-catching centre is now home to social enterprise company SES, Sunderland Homecare Associates and local housing co-ops. The 10,000 square metre managed workspace centre is also welcoming new businesses who can enjoy modern office accommodation and training rooms. SES commissioned the innovative building that mirrors the sustainable businesses it now houses. Most of the structure is recycled, with the re-used shipping containers having already transported goods around the world for 20 years or more. Rents and revenue from the centre will provide SES with a sustainable source of income to carry on its valuable enterprise work. SES director Mark Heskett- Saddington said: The building represents the enterprising work that goes on in the local Hendon area, across Sunderland and the wider North East region. Demand has proved that social businesses are still thriving in difficult economic conditions. We have been running in the North East for nearly 30 years now and this new development will secure our operation as we look to support enterprise in all its forms. Over the past year ( ) SES has helped to create 27 new social enterprises as well as supporting 163 around the North East. The team has also helped launch 349 traditional businesses. These social enterprises, which include notable successes such as Sunderland and North Tyneside Home Care Associates, Compass Community Transport, Be Active, Be Fit (previously Sit n b Fit) and Sunderland Dance CIC, have a combined turnover of more than 27.5m and employ around 1430 staff. The secure business centre also has plenty of on-site parking as well as 24 hour access to business accommodation. All units enjoy high speed internet connectivity and the training rooms have full video conferencing facilities. To build the business centre SES invested its own resources in addition to backing from the European Regional Development Fund and Sunderland Working Neighbourhoods Fund. 2

3 Ground-breaking construction The three-storey complex has re-used containers which have each typically travelled a million miles transporting goods. Kevin Marquis, director of SES, said: We chose this unusual method of construction because it s sustainable and appropriate. SES is committed to the principle of reduce, re-use and recycle and of course Sunderland has a long association with shipping which added to our design decision. It s also a relatively quick and low cost construction method and you would never know you were inside a container. It s just like a modern office. For us, the development is a statement and it is already a talking point. The iconic three-storey building has been designed by North East-based Napper Architects on behalf of SES. Napper associate architect James Gilbert said: The containers have been all over the world on various ships. Everybody talks about recycling but this is better because we are re-using instead of them being melted down and starting again. We sourced them from a variety of places and they were in a poor state just rusting away. The containers were then stripped down, shot blasted and reinforced with new steelwork. Next the containers were spray insulated to prevent condensation before being put in position by crane to create a variety of office sizes. Each container makes an office and several larger offices have been made by cutting out sides or combining two or three for bigger units. There is still office space available at the Co-operative Centre which is open to businesses of all types. Contact SES on or info@ses.coop for details. 3

4 Sustainable Enterprise Strategies SES is a social enterprise, a Community Interest Company, with over 29 years of practical experience in promoting and supporting all kinds of enterprise. In addition to traditional small business start-ups and selfemployment, SES helps mutuals, cooperatives, credit unions and other forms of social and community enterprise. All SES achievements and impacts are carefully documented. An annual Social Audit and Social Return on Investment report are produced. In 2011 SES efforts in this regard were recognised through the award of the RBS SE100 Index Impact Champion This is awarded to enterprises that excel at measuring, proving and communicating their impact. 4 Highlights of SES recent performance include: Creation of 349 new traditional businesses in , with a collective projected turnover of million and average loan investment worth 1,093 each. 88% of these new businesses were started by people who were unemployed or workless; 69% came from the most disadvantaged parts of the Region. 80% of these businesses were still trading at 12 months, 64% at 18 months and 63% at 24 months. Creation of 29 new social enterprises/mutuals in SES also supported 105 existing social enterprises. These social enterprises or mutuals have a combined turnover in excess of 27.5 million; they employ 1,430 staff and 528 volunteers. Analysis of Social Return on Investment for suggested a return of 8.14 for every 1 invested, representing excellent value for money. Managed office workspace was developed at premises in Sunderland (Container City). This involved 1,275 square metres of floors pace on 0.4 hectares of brownfield land, and provided a new HQ for SES. Further workspace was developed in North Shields at The Town Mission.

5 SES Business Centres SES owns and manages two business centres in the City of Sunderland (The Co-operative Centre) and North Tyneside (The Mission) offering a range of office space, training and meeting rooms, providing flexible terms and business support. All of our business units are ideal for new and growing businesses. Prices start from as little as 35 per week for an office unit, fees are paid monthly in advance, with only one month's notice required if you need to move on. The Co-operative Centre and The Mission have been specifically designed to provide an environment to support businesses with aspirations to grow. We have 35 business units with sizes starting at 9 square metres m up to 90 square metres. SES Business Centres allows access 365 days per year with a fully managed security service. You benefit from a full meet and greet reception service, which also includes mail, post and fax handling. We also provide, high speed internet services, photocopier, PDF / scanning facilities, a fax machine, video conferencing facilities. Tenants can access the SES Training & Meeting Room at greatly reduced rates. Contact: The Co-op Centre Whitehouse Road Sunderland SR2 8AH T: F: E: info@ses.coop The Mission Lower Rudyerd Street North Shields NE29 6NG T: E: info@ses.coop 5

6 SES offers virtual office space - the perfect alternative if you have a new or existing business, a business working from home, on the road or just looking for a low risk option to break into a new business market and would like to share the benefits of belonging to a business community. Our virtual space is charged monthly at very competitive rates. 6 Virtual Office Space Virtual office space includes: The use of a business address Your own business telephone number, which includes a divert & voic facility All your calls answered promptly and efficiently Post & parcel handling Use of fax, photocopier and admin services Business support services with access to our specialist business advisers 33% discount on any training / meeting room hire (facilities are available to hire on an hourly, half daily or daily basis) Invitations to business events held at the centres Contact: The Co-op Centre Whitehouse Road Sunderland SR2 8AH T: F: E: info@ses.coop The Mission Lower Rudyerd Street North Shields NE29 6NG T: E: info@ses.coop

7 SES Training, Conference and Meetings It's good to be able to host your training events, meetings, or visits in a professional business environment where all of your requirements will be taken care of. Your customers will appreciate this too, and you don't have to be a tenant at any of our centres to use these facilities. The Co-operative Centre and The Mission Business Centres offers a range of modern, naturally lit, comfortable training and meeting rooms that seat from 2 to 70 people. These rooms have Internet access, laptop / powerpoint facilities, TV, flip charts video conferencing. Prices are very competitive and arrangements can be flexible with hourly hire options, half days, full days or evenings. Catering choices are available at each site and our staff will help you organise your event or meeting. SES tenants benefit from: Free business rates on selected properties until 2012 Communal Meeting areas with free WiFi High speed internet service Video/Skype Conferencing facilities Free Parking Spaces Central Mail Room State of the art Telephone system On site maintenance services including cleaning, security and mail delivery. Access to on-site business mentor and business networking opportunities Superb telecoms and ICT networks Access to well equipped training rooms, Smart Boards, Touch Screens, Laptop/projectors, video conferencing facilities Recycling facilities Central reception and switchboard services available Contact SES Business Centres: To arrange a site visit and view the variety of office space available to rent at the SES, or to book a training/meeting room, please call June Hartill on or june@ses.coop 7

8 Sustainable Enterprise Strategies The Co-op Centre, Whitehouse Road, Sunderland SR2 8AH