Recruitment firm finds new home
KSM Recruitment has become the latest tenant at Venture House on the Avenue Farm Industrial Estate in Stratford-upon-Avon, and within days of moving in had secured work recruiting for one its fellow tenants. KSM is run by Karen Moore, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the recruitment industry. She launched the business two years ago and previously ran the company from her home near Stratford.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s state-of-the-art Venture House business centre opened its doors in April this year following the completion of a major project to turn a redundant council building into a top class facility for small businesses and new business start-ups. The project has been funded by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) through an award of £450,000 as part of theGrowth Deal initiative and led by a team from Stratford-on-Avon District Council. The award is part of an overall £89.4 million Growth Deal Package for Coventry and Warwickshire announced in January 2015.
Karen discovered Venture House on the back of seeing publicity about the launch event over the summer and said she was delighted to secure space in the centre. “When we heard about the opening of the centre and came to look around, it became clear it was ideal for the company to take us to the next level,” she said. “We’ve moved in initially on a six-month basis, and it ticks a lot of boxes for us. It’s really handily positioned not far from the A46, which is important for us getting out and about to meet clients and candidates, but also close to town at the same time. The free parking is also important, especially for when we have candidates coming here for interview or assessments, and I really like the fact we are working close to other businesses of similar sizes. It’s nice to be able to interact with other businesses, and we started working with a company who have moved into the unit next door to us. To find each other was really handy for us both!”
KSM has also been able to take advantage of free business support from the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub who have experts operating at Venture House. Karen added: “Phil Peak from the Growth Hub approved our business plan before we moved in which was extremely useful. In the short space of time we’ve been at the centre we’ve seen a growth in business which is very encouraging.”
Nancy Singleton: centre manager, said: “We are delighted that Venture House has provided small businesses like KSM with an opportunity to take the first step from a home based environment where people can often feel isolated or distracted into a commercial base. “Venture House provides a flexible, creative and innovative environment with access to free business support to help new and fledging businesses like KSM to grow. We want Venture House to be an inspirational platform that supports businesses on their journey and to help realise their wider ambitions.”
Jonathan Browning, CWLEP chairman, said Venture House is well placed to help small businesses to grow. “It’s extremely positive to see local businesses using Venture House to grow and fully utilise the on-site support to make the step to the next level,” he said.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Deal supports the local area’s aspirations to build on its advanced manufacturing and engineering strengths by investing in:
• New transport infrastructure which will improve connections with other cities
and towns and tackle congestion on the area’s roads.
• Driving innovation in advanced manufacturing and engineering through the provision of new R&D and business support facilities.
• Supporting businesses to flourish through the provision of effective business
advice and support.
• Growing local skills and talent through investment in Further Education Colleges.
ABOUT THE GROWTH DEAL
For further information visit www.cwlep.com
Further information about Venture House is available by contacting 01789 207 500 or by email on
info@venturehousestratford.co.uk or visiting www.venturehousestratford.co.uk
