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The Beacon: Bringing business to the West End

ing touches are completed on the newest development in the West End of Newcastle, Siobhan O’Brien has been explaining to bdaily how the latest development Groundwork is supporting will help to transform the area.

“Groundwork is all about people and places, and improving where they live and work to give them a better quality of life,” she explains. “Which is why we decided to invest in the Beacon project.”

The Beacon is a new eco friendly sustainable building, designed to bring together a range of business support services under one roof .

Working in partnership with local charity Centre West and with support from the European Regional Development Fund, the £6.5 million centre is due to open in early 2012.

“Our board of trustees has a vision to create a sustainable income for the future, and funds donated from a legacy were ringfenced for a capital regeneration project,” she continues.

“Equally to receive European funding, the building must encourage and facilitate small and medium sized enterprise, encourage start ups and have a training element, which are all things which will bring something positive to the West End.”

The Groundwork and Centre West partnership won the tender for the former fire station site over several other local businesses, and has subsequently held open days and consultations to allow the local community to have their say.

“We discussed plans with the local community in the early stages, and by respecting their wishes, we’re creating a positive feeling within the community,” Siobhan adds.

The centre will house 12 artisan units, a bistro, community space, 17 offices, two training facilities and a 400 seat conference space – facilities which will bring real change to the West End.

“This type of development is particularly important for the West End where there are high levels of unemployment, and we now hope the centre will give people the confidence to start a business and get the support they need here at the Beacon.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .