Modern business facility
The building contains a combination of office and fourteen light industrial workshops ranging from 17 - 79 square meters, some having the bonus of external loading doors. The ground floor offices have wider personnel doors too, allowing for light industrial use. There is also a modern conference room, kitchens, shower and toilet facilities and a shared networking space providing a versatile and flexible working environment for users.
Environmental attributes
The BEC also has high-calibre green credentials, with an array of circa 200 square metre solar panels, LED lighting with PIR detection, EV car chargers with ample on-site car parking – plus a low emission and refrigerant design.
With its construction designed and project-managed by East Riding Infrastructure & Facilities – the building has previously been awarded a British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Excellent Design certificate - a prestigious standard to achieve for any building and complementing the council's recent climate emergency declaration. Sustainable and locally sourced building materials were also used in its construction.
Funding
East Riding of Yorkshire Council part-funded the project and also secured £1.5m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and £0.5m from the Getting Building Fund, via the Hull and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (HEY LEP), to finance the project.
The site will provide excellent opportunities for significant industrial development, and have the potential to offer employment opportunities, economic sustainability, and a boost for the market town, which currently relies heavily on the service sector, retail and the visitor economy.
Completed in 38 weeks
Contractor Geo Houlton & Sons Ltd. completed the work in 38 weeks. The main enabling works following the site set up and establishment of boundaries, consisted of the breaking out and on-site recycling of the existing concrete slabs, roads and foundations. A new entrance was formed for a one-way system to service the site and extending the entrance to the new substation. The works to the main building and the installation of below ground drainage and service provision followed.
Landscaping and car park
After completing the main build external envelope, the external landscaping, parking bays and associated works were undertaken. The existing retained hard standing was removed and the permanent reinstatement of the new road was completed.
The road kerbs and associated works including the final coat of tarmac and white lining were applied and once completed, the tree planting and soft landscaping works progressed to ensure the areas were established and ready to use ahead of occupation.
Official opening
The launch event, was opened by Cllr Jonathan Owen, before speeches by Alessandro Caruso of ACA Ltd. and Neil Armstrong of Carbon Visibility Ltd. and Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness. Representing Geo Houlton & Sons Ltd. were Director Jamie Craft and Managing Director, Andrew Kingston.
Pictured L-R: Jamie Craft, Cllr Jonathan Owen, Leader of the council, Council Chief Executive Caroline Lacey, Andrew Kingston - Managing Director, Geo Houlton & Sons Ltd. Graham Stuart, MP and Cllr Jane Evison.
Supporting local business
Amanda Hoggart, business centre manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "With a wide range of services on offer, in addition to the office space, the Beverley Enterprise Centre is proving to be a huge success already with only three offices now left to rent, since handover in April 2022."
She added: “Every year our business centres help entrepreneurs achieve their dream of running their own business and can also help existing businesses expand and grow.”
