Like many other workplaces, the Innovation Centre closed the doors and ran a skeleton service from March to July after government instigated the COVID-19 lockdown. They had nearly 20 local innovative businesses at the time but as they have now moved back to a partial service, they have seen an increasing number begin to return (10) and take the critical steps toward ‘business-as-usual’ with two new businesses moving in and more committed arrivals from September.
The centre has developed a COVID-Safe Plan, which includes new signage, social distancing measures in communal areas, and the provision of additional hygiene and sanitisation facilities. The kitchens and toilets remain accessible with extra measures in place to keep people safe.
Though the workspace has been reconfigured to comply with the latest COVID-secure guidelines, the vibrant look and feel is still here plus still continuing to offer flexible terms, including easy in/out, hot desking (with extra cleaning in place) and short-term licenses and pricing to help ease the transition back to full-time working.
Critically, businesses can also access dedicated on-site free business support from Director Neil Griffin, to help them respond and adapt to the changing and very challenging economic environment.
Neil Griffin said: “As lockdown restrictions continue to ease and we welcome more people back to the centre, we’ve been working hard to adapt our workspace and our offering, all to create a safe working environment and provide people with peace of mind but we also want to keep this an inspirational space for innovators
“We have an amazing community here at The Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway (ICKG) so it is vital for us to be open for business, welcome people back to the centre, and create a space that offers some sense of normality and security in a time of change and uncertainty.
“This not only includes putting measures in place to protect the health and safety of our centre users but also offering our customers the support and flexibility they need to adapt to an uncertain and fast-changing business landscape, and take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.
“The safety of everyone who uses the centre remains our number one priority and we hope the changes we have made, along with the dedicated business support in place, will provide assurance to customers returning after lockdown, and new customers alike. Just this week we had call from the USA from a company looking to house people in offices in Colchester, it is about capitalising now and seizing the day”
The signs are positive for the ICKG with current customers returning, new businesses moving in such as Clientshare and Commsoft plus also looking to capturing the commuter market to London and those people working from home. Those Innovative businesses that are now out of long-term leases or sick of working remotely can now base themselves in place that is truly set for scaling businesses.
What is also great to see is two companies with upcoming product launches in the near future in Keep Fit Eat Fit and QGO, proof that there is still opportunity out there and if you do things right and are brave you can still thrive.
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