Royal Visit for Enterprise Centre
Wed, 28 September 2011
HRH The Duke of Gloucester officially opened Tameside College’s new enterprise and business incubation centre at Ask Development's St Petersfield scheme in Ashton-under-Lyne.
The new facility provides the College with an enterprise and incubation centre which will support budding entrepreneurs in the Tameside area. The philosophy is to provide a hub where business people can develop their ideas and connect with each other.
The launch of the Tameside Centre for Enterprise signals the College’s intent to create a new generation of entrepreneurs, who will create their own businesses and local job opportunities.
The 10,000 sq ft innovation and incubation centre completes the circus area of the St Petersfield masterplan. Designed by Aedas Architects and built by Create Construction, the building covers three floors and provides an enterprise laboratory, incubation space and a café with an outdoor seating area. The café will be open to local businesses and the general public as well as staff and clients.
Distinguished guests at the event included Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mr Warren Smith J.P, The Civic Mayor of Tameside Cllr, Susan Quinn, Executive Council Leader, Cllr Kieran Quinn, and Chief Executive of the Council, Mr Steven Pleasant.
Peter Ryder, Principal at Tameside College, said, “We’re honoured that HRH, The Duke of Gloucester performed the opening ceremony. The centre will provide a unique range of opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and local businesses. Many people dream of starting their own business, but they struggle to get their ideas off the ground and don’t always know who they can turn to for support. This new centre will provide a focal point for new business start-ups and be the place to do business in Tameside”.
The scheme is being delivered through a public/private sector partnership, with £14.5m of Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), HCA and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) money already committed to the 5.2-hectare (13-acre) site.
