New Business Hub is set to Help Small Businesses in Felixstowe Grow

A new trial Business Hub offering help and support to new, emerging and existing businesses and the self-employed in Felixstowe has been officially opened by the town’s mayor Graham Newman.

Located above the Crafty Coffee café in Hamilton Road, the Hub, launched by Felixstowe Chamber of Commerce will provide the town’s start-ups, sole traders and SMEs with services ranging from information on training opportunities and essential business advice to regular events addressing the various issues and challenges businesses face.

Councillor Newman, Mayor of Felixstowe, said: “This new Hub will be a fantastic asset for supporting Felixstowe’s many smaller businesses, which play such an important role in the town’s growth. Starting and running a business can be a real challenge, so giving business owners access to a facility which offers helpful advice and guidance could be vital to achieving success.”

Roger Abbott, Chairman of Felixstowe Chamber of Commerce comments: “We’re thrilled to launch this innovative facility that aims to support the needs of the town’s smaller businesses and self-employed, helping to stimulate economic prosperity in Felixstowe. It speaks volumes that we have already helped one or two prospective new business in the town.”

The Hub is now open to all business people and provides access to free wi-fi and networking opportunities, alongside discounted coffee. It is also available to hire by other organisations for training or business meetings by arrangement.

Roger continued: “We want everyone to take full advantage of this new facility. They can come along to do some work on their laptop, network and chat to others about business ideas, or get details of local training opportunities and a wide range of business advice.”

Alongside supporting the town’s business owners, the Hub will offer advice on helping older businessmen and women to get back to work. To this end, guidance and support are available for retraining and for the retired community the opportunity to continue to use their talents – to keep them occupied or top up their pension.

At the other end of the business scale, the Hub is also working with the Careers and Enterprise company and the Seckford Foundation to provide a business mentoring scheme for senior pupils at the Felixstowe Academy.

The Chamber also plans to hold regular events and training at the Business Hub, including courses on business-critical areas such as finance, tax, sales and marketing, social media, data security and law.

The Hub will run on an initial trial basis to test the demand for such an ongoing facility with the support of East Suffolk Councils, Felixstowe Town Council, Felixstowe Forward and some local businesses.

 The Hub will be open on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm, as well as Wednesday and Thursday from 10am. More information on upcoming news and events at the Hub can be found at www.felixstowechamber.co.uk 

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