Building New Business Opportunities

A new project to encourage local entrepreneurs to set up businesses in Mansfield is underway.

Mansfield District Council is creating 35 'business incubation units' in the town's Neighbourhood Renewal Areas to provide work space for residents to start their own businesses. This £1.6m project includes: £703,000 European Regional Development funding from the Government Office for the East Midlands, £597,000 from the Alliance SSP (sub-regional partners of the East Midlands Development Agency), £145,000 of Neighbourhood Renewal funding, and £20,000 from the Council's Industrial Development Programme. Rental income from the units will also help with the running costs.

The four units will provide a mix of office and small workshop space in under used Council buildings including Armstrong Hall and Langford Road retail units. Planning permission has been passed and work should start on the new building at Park Road in the next two months.

The funding will complement a grant of over £90,000 from UK Business Incubation which will be used to recruit an experienced business adviser, who will be based within Neighbourhood Renewal Areas. the advisor will rely on contacts within the community to identify and support potential local entrepreneurs. The advisor will also work closely with other agencies to ensure local people receive the best possible support and advise.