A New Bright Work Space for Suffolk Social Enterprises

This week, lead partners of the ground-breaking Brightspace, not-for-profit Suffolk Enterprise Park, will declare it open for business by December. The innovative social enterprise hub has been designed to serve Suffolk's social enterprises and individuals who want to make their community, or even the world, a better place.

Located on Hadleigh Road, the £1 million Ipswich building development is lead by Suffolk ACRE, the East of England Development Agency and Suffolk County Council. Individuals and organisations wanting further information about the favourable rates and advantages of being located at the enterprise centre can contact the team on 0845 2500 508 or via www.brightspace.org .

These managed workspaces will suit organisations who are concerned with tackling the social, environmental, cultural and economic challenges faced by communities today. The offices will provide a vibrant, innovative environment for like minded individuals and employees to share. Additionally Brightspace will offer affordable, quality accommodation, a flexible menu of support services, training and meeting rooms to help enterprises thrive.

Brightspace tenancies start from just £4.50 per sq.ft per month based on a 12 month contract. Flexible in and out, short and long term agreements are available. Office suites range in size from 70 sq.ft. to 344 sq.ft. All prices include business rates, buildings insurance and utilities. There are 4 meeting rooms of varying sizes, free to tenants. These include a Board room and a Training room which are suitable for larger groups. Meeting rooms are fully furnished, have digital projectors, telephone and wireless internet access.

On site services also include a breakout area, kitchen facilities, flexible furnishing options, flexible lease terms, reception service, fax machine, wireless internet access and inward mail sorting. Additional chargeable services include IT support, mail outs, conferencing, administration / secretarial support, business insurance, virtual office services, catering service, telephone services and franking post, business support services (such as business planning, start-up support, management, finance services including payroll, staffing, sustainability and health checks.

Dr Wil Gibson, Chief Executive of Suffolk ACRE, said "I believe social enterprises and charities will become increasingly important in improving the quality of life within our communities. Brightspace is a demonstration of the partners' commitment (Suffolk ACRE, EEDA, Suffolk County Council) to provide a quality environment for those organisations to co-locate together and to thrive".

Suffolk County Councillor Bruce Provan, Portfolio Holder for Skills and Economic Development said: "This development is about delivering both Suffolk County Council and EEDA's commitment to supporting social enterprise both now and in the future".

Dr David Wood, Regional Manager of Rural Action East, said "We are looking forward to our move to Brightspace. It will be great to work in a vibrant, open environment surrounded by like minded people".

Brightspace will feature at this years Social Enterprise Day on the 19^th of November as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week at the Co-op Education Centre in Ipswich from 10.30 to 3.30. Alternatively Brightspace will be open for visitors from the 21^st of December 2009.