A quest to encourage Stratford’s invisible economy to step forward and shape the format of a new Stratford-upon-Avon enterprise centre, has been started by local property consultants Dobson Grey|, it was stated today.

Economic growth in the town is being stifled for the want of an affordable enterprise centre to encourage local micro-businesses to expand out of home based arrangements.

“Our research shows there is growing demand for affordable good quality business facilities for local one and two person enterprises on flexible terms of use” said Keri Dobson, Managing Director of Stratford-upon-Avon based property consultants Dobson Grey.

“The area abounds with talented businesses bucking the trend of the economic downturn, mostly in IT, marketing, architectural and creative industries. Many are run from people’s spare bedrooms, garages even garden sheds.  We are finding there is a growing need from these individuals to have more public facing premises which provide them with meeting rooms and, more importantly, all inclusive affordable flexible tenancy packages which allow them to dip their toe into the water of being a tenant.”

“Home based ventures have often been seen as the invisible segment of the British economy.  Local Authorities cannot gauge the size or strength of this hidden power engine of local entrepreneurialism. Unfortunately lack of space is inhibiting some of their growth locally, and in some cases choking their innovation.”

“We have recently been retained by clients, Intellegentia|, a local marketing agency who moved some six years ago from home to an office based environment.  They purchased an office much larger than their own needs and rent out spare capacity to local SME’s.  Recognising that, like themselves, small companies grow.  When we talk to companies working from home, that’s exactly what they are telling us they need.  The unit provides space now with an area to grow into for the future to save the headache of relocation at a later date”.

Another local business who has appreciated the needs of this growing invisible economy is Stratford Business Services (SBS), who is shortly to launch an innovative solution for home-based workers in need of the occasional meeting room or hotdesk workspace in an office environment.  For an affordable annual subscription fee companies and individuals can book a meeting room or office| for up to 24 times a year. This innovative membership scheme may also provide virtual office arrangements for smaller companies not wishing to step out of the home based arrangement but where a business address would provide greater gravitas to their organisation.