As business mentor here at the BIC one of my favourite tasks is to welcome tenants to the site.
I really enjoy meeting new businesses to see what they’re about and at what stage they are at with their company. I like to delve quite deep into businesses to see what they consider to be their strengths but more importantly the things they are not so confident about because it is here where we can offer our help and services.
When I go into meet tenants I always use the same metaphor to describe the BIC; imagine a pond and the staff are at the centre of it, then we have the first ripple which is other tenants on site because we are very much a community so if a business is looking for an accountant, a printer etc we always go to other tenants first then we have the outer ripples which is organisations we work closely with. After 20 years the BIC have forged strong partnerships and our aim has always remained the same to nurture businesses and encourage growth.
This month I met SLR Design, a new creative company, aiming to rid the world of bad design and stock photography. James Reece and Sarah Metcalf, old school friends, head up SLR Design in the Slipway Centre and are committed to teaching the younger generation the tricks of the trade for on the day I visited there were no less than seven apprentices hard at work. Supplied by another tenant, Xiscad Training Ltd.
Even though the company became established just a few months ago they already boast an impressive portfolio; from estate agents in London to tropical fish specialists. Sarah explains:
“It is fantastic to be based at the BIC, myself and James live in Durham and it is easy to get to, straight down the A690 then the A19. I moved back to the North East from London after this opportunity presented itself and I am so pleased I did.”
James explains: “It’s an exciting time I have always had a passion for helping businesses with design work and I can’t wait to see what other projects will come our way.
“It is also great to be surrounded by so many businesses and we have already worked closely with other tenants and I hope to see more of this in the future.”
If you would like a tour of the BIC site to see our variety of office space, starting at just £49 a week then please contact space adviser Donna Surtees on 0191 516 6066.