TEDCO WIN NATIONAL AWARD FOR INCUBATION WORK
Published on: Friday 24 October 2008
TEDCO (The Tyneside Economic Development Company Ltd) is celebrating after scooping a prestigious national award for the management of a business incubator in Northumberland.
TEDCO won the New Incubator of the Year Award in the UKBI (United Kingdom Business Incubation) awards for the management of Berwick WorkSpace.
UKBI is the national body which promotes good practice and the award recognises business incubation environments that have been operating for less than 2 years, who can prove a dedication to better practice and to providing their clients with an environment to succeed.
In addition to the facilities management of Berwick WorkSpace, TEDCO is responsible for the creation of an environment to encourage collaboration and support services that are designed to help new and small businesses grow.
Berwick WorkSpace is a ground breaking business incubation centre commissioned and owned by Northumberland County and Berwick Borough Councils to support trade and drive economic growth in the Berwick area and is already exceeding expectations.
The flagship centre is the first significant commercial build in Berwick town centre for 25 years. After only seven months of operation, the incubator has already begun to attract businesses from outside of Northumberland, from areas such as Yorkshire, Milton Keynes, Reston (Scotland) and even Spain.
TEDCO was appointed as the management company for the centre in November 2007 and this award reflects their achievements to date.
Andrew Martin, Berwick WorkSpace Centre Manager said: "This award is a fantastic achievement for TEDCO and we are thrilled to be acknowledged as the Best New Incubator in the UK".
"TEDCO is passionate about business incubation and have worked hard to make Berwick WorkSpace the success that it is today. We feel the centre is a jewel in Berwick's crown and we have a real commitment to area."
TEDCO have almost 25 years experience in enterprise development and manage two business centres and a business incubator in South Tyneside, in addition to Berwick WorkSpace.
The success at the UKBI ceremony held in Bristol on 20th November did not stop with the New Incubator Award. TEDCO's other business incubator, The Quadrus Centre, also came runner up in the Established Incubator category against some very stiff competition from throughout the UK.
Deborah Evans, TEDCO Business Incubator & Workspace Manager said: "Berwick WorkSpace is TEDCO's second business incubator and our first outside of South Tyneside".
"We have invested a considerable amount of time and resource in developing our business incubation services and this award highlights our dedication to this extremely important area of economic development".
"To win one award and come a runner up in another is a huge achievement and we plan to build on this success in the future."
Berwick WorkSpace is situated adjacent to Berwick upon Tweed's Library. It is a distinctive and modern building, which uses local and natural materials where possible. Internally the building offers businesses the latest design, technology and facilities.
Anyone interested in receiving further information can contact TEDCO's award winning customer service team on 0845 602 2466 or visit www.berwickworkspace.co.uk.