£10m business centre is ‘perfect’ say customers one year on

A £10m enterprise centre approaching the end of its first year has received a perfect customer satisfaction score as it continues to support the Broxbourne business community.

All 26 businesses based in Theobalds Enterprise Centre (TEC) gave the thumbs up for the workspace that forms the Broxbourne Enterprise Centres (BEC) alongside its older partner, Hoddesdon Enterprise Centre (HEC).

Julie Creffield, Innovation Director at the Oxford Innovation-managed centres, said: “We have had an incredible first 12 months. Those organisations based here love the space and the support that is available to them. For them to give us a 100 per cent customer satisfaction result is as much a testament to the amazing businesses we have as it is a result of the hard work of our team.”

Since TEC opened its doors in November last year, BEC has welcomed more than 2,500 visitors across its two sites where 56 companies are based. More than 70 jobs have been created bringing the number of people working within BEC to over 250.

“We have witnessed some incredible growth across the two centres since TEC opened. A number of customers have already moved into larger spaces and others are negotiating to upgrade to bigger offices.

“Our incredible team has supported the creation of five new companies and we have worked alongside more than a hundred freelancers, who have used the space we have available to enhance their businesses.

“When we held a ‘try before you buy’ offer for solopreneurs, we were delighted that 33 per cent of those who had a trial run have now come back to use a co-working or dedicated desk space.

“Being in the centre is not just about renting an office; it is being part of a growing community and taking advantage of the business support that is available that is invaluable when you’re starting out or looking to grow.”

TEC is dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and new business ventures, helping innovators and entrepreneurs unlock their growth potential. By doing so, the centre aims to create high-value jobs and opportunities for the local community.

Over 80 guests attended the launch of the centre, which will eventually host up to 54 businesses. Among the current tenants are CHEX, The UK Electric Vehicle Company and Vow Sports.

Funded jointly by Broxbourne Borough Council and the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the centre received £5 million from the LEP, some of which came from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.

The centre features environmentally sustainable design elements, such as photovoltaic panels for energy efficiency, motion-sensitive LED lighting in common areas, and daylight-sensitive LEDs in individual offices to minimize energy waste. The centre has earned a BREEAM “Very Good” rating for sustainability and a Platinum WiredScore for its exceptional digital infrastructure and wireless connectivity.