Friday 22nd April 2016
MP Nicola Blackwood visits unique workspace in the heart of Abingdon town centre in support of its first anniversary.
The vibrant Abingdon business community was recognised and celebrated today, in a unique showcase event organised by The Workstation at Merchant House, Abingdon. Nicola Blackwood MP, a known supporter of small business, attended an event to meet the team behind The Workstation concept to find out more about the range of businesses that work there.
Merchant House, a prominent building on East St Helen Street, was opened by The Workstation team in January 2015, offering a suite of co-working hot desk options, private offices, virtual services and meeting space in the heart of Abingdon for the first time. From opening just over 12 months ago, Merchant House is already home to 24 small businesses within its four walls; in its 10 office suites and 15+ hot desks, as well as a growing number of virtual office users.
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Nicola Blackwood MP with co-directors Dominic & Rupert Palmer outside The Workstation, Abingdon.
In the hour long reception at Merchant House this morning, the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon was able to speak to a number of those business owners directly and see the range of work that is undertaken at Merchant House. Speaking about her visit to The Workstation’s Abingdon base, Nicola Blackwood said:
“It is hugely important that we support start-ups and established small businesses within Abingdon. Seeing these businesses, not just in action but set for growth too, was brilliant and I wish each and every one of them all the very best for the future.”
The hour long showcase also saw a number of high profile local stakeholders in attendance in support of this new offer to start ups and established small businesses in the town. Guests included representatives from Abingdon-on-Thames Chamber of Commerce, Abingdon Town Council and Vale of White Horse District Council; all of whom were invited to walk around and speak to the individual business owners, to understand the benefits in running a business from the facility.
Co-director of The Workstation Rupert Palmer said:
“It was evident from our research in 2014 that Abingdon town centre needed a dedicated facility to support its large and varied business community. We are delighted with the reception we have received in the town over the last year and the clear support we have been able to provide to the business who have chosen to make Merchant House their home.”
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A number of Tenants of Merchant House showcased their businesses at the event.
It’s been a successful 12 months for The Workstation and the 24 businesses involved at Merchant House Abingdon – but future plans are in place too. In keeping with its flexible ethos, the Workstation will be moving to an online automated system so bookings can be made more quickly and easily; with IT and Telecoms solutions also set to be upgraded to provide the very best business grade services. As a central hub in the town, Merchant House, in partnership with the Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, will also be promoting and hosting regular networking, training sessions and business support events for its occupiers and outside guests over the course of this year.
– Ends –
The Workstation, Abingdon opened to high praise at the beginning of 2015. Run by a small and highly dedicated team of professionals, The Workstation Group provides bespoke serviced office accommodation, co-working hot desks, mailbox rental and virtual office solutions in locations across Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. Merchant House Abingdon is one of six properties operated by the group and the location was specifically chosen in light of the growing business community in the town; bringing the organisation into Oxfordshire for the first time. The group’s unique town centre property portfolio continues to grow, building on its 15 year heritage; with a seventh building location set to open in Marlow after this year.
Request copies of event images here.
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