Enterprise Hub Enriches Local Economy

The Enterprise Hub in Glenrothes is encouraging and supporting entrepreneurial activity, complementing Fife’s comprehensive business advisory service, with the aim to kickstart and sustain increased entrepreneurial activity in the region.

Since the Glenrothes Enterprise Hub opened its doors back in May 2017, it has been home to test traders and short term new-start businesses, a number of which have graduated to commercial business premises; hosted workshops, seminars, and events; and provided entrepreneurs with hot desking facilities.

New start-up businesses are embracing these facilities. And, not only are they modern, comfortable and professional facilities, but for entrepreneurs, the hubs also offer the opportunity to meet like-minded people, who quickly form their own business network.

Pierre Kruff, Managing Director of Rock Ya Events Group Ltd, an event and destination management service, moved to the Enterprise Hub, Glenrothes and quickly realised that it offered far more than simply offices for rent. The open space within the breakout area was exactly what he was looking for – an area where he could network with like-minded individuals during lunch but was free to return to his office to focus.

The German-born MD’s enthusiasm for every aspect of event and destination management, from concept and content management through to execution and implementation, is infectious. He said: “This is precisely what I’ve been looking for! The cost of renting the office is ideal and the opportunity to network is fantastic. Having spoken to Business Gateway Fife, I’ve successfully accessed funding via Fife Council Economic Development’s Trade Development Programme to support exhibiting at two event industry conferences in 2019 and received advice from Scottish Development International (SDI) on expanding further into the German tourism market. I really appreciate the support that’s on offer from the Hub and I’m excited about this phase of growing the business.”

Being stationed at the Hub has also meant working far more closely with web designer Steven Brown of Digita, who is currently helping Pierre to improve his website.

Digita is also thriving having set up its office at the Enterprise Hub in Glenrothes in October. Not only is its MD, Steven Brown, more productive, but he’s also become more proactive in regard to developing the business.

Steven chatted to fbm. He said: “The Enterprise Hub in Glenrothes offers superb office and meeting areas, with extremely competitive rates. It’s close to home and I see it as a stepping stone between working from home and renting larger premises in the coming years.”

During his time at the Enterprise Hub, Steven has also been taking advantage of a range of business advisory services that are on offer. Steven has sought guidance from Business Gateway Fife; has signed up to Public Contracts Scotland as he seeks to win new business opportunities; and is engaging with Fife Council Economic Development’s Trade Development Programme for assistance to attend trade exhibitions.

It is this level of support available at the Enterprise Hub that is so important when establishing a business.

A similar project has recently launched on the other side of the region, in Kincardine. A new, £500,000 state-of-the-art training and enterprise hub will further support Fife’s desire to improve the economy. Whilst focusing on improving the lives of over half a million people who live in Scotland’s coalfields communities, it goes a step further in that it also aims to support entrepreneurial activity.

The Coalfields Training and Enterprise Hub prioritises tackling the scourge of joblessness, skill shortages and ill health, which still blight some of Scotland’s mining communities.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is based at the Hub’s custom-built facilities, which provides a programme of events and training sessions designed to promote and support social innovation, social enterprise and community regeneration. Hot desking and meeting space, designed to create an environment that enables the infrastructure to work, meet and learn, are also available to rent on an hourly, daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Pauline Douglas, Head of Operations for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “We’re firmly focused on offering job skills training and a wide range of other courses, through our highly qualified staff team, and in partnership with other similar organisations, catering for individuals, start-up businesses, and would be entrepreneurs.

“We will also play a part in the life of the community. By bringing local businesses, agencies and the community together, we can identify and enhance economic opportunities while improving social conditions in a sustainable way.”

One of the Coalfields Training and Enterprise Hub’s key strengths is its ability to develop positive relationships with like-minded organisations, including Scottish Council Voluntary Action (SCVO), Big Lottery and the Social Enterprise Academy.