Last month I was delighted to attend the official opening of The Base – Warrington’s brand new, £8.5 million office space that has been developed by Warrington & Co., Warrington’s partnership for growth, on behalf of Warrington Borough Council.

The great and the good of the region’s business world attended the ceremony that was presided over by none other than The High Sheriff of Cheshire, Bill Holroyd CBE, DL – himself a highly successful entrepreneur and businessman.

As part of his speech at the event Mr Holroyd shared some of his considerable experience and wisdom that he has gleaned from his years of being a business owner. He went on to explain why – once his 12 months tenure as High Sherriff is completed – he intends to return to helping start-up businesses and encouraging budding entrepreneurs saying,

“I will see anyone, because anyone saw me when I was starting up.” He continued; “I will always look at their business and give what advice I can.”

It is this kind of invaluable support and backing that Warrington & Co. aims to offer to ambitious SMEs and start-up businesses at The Base, which is geared up to offer them support and credibility whilst also meeting the demand for high quality business space.

Warrington now boasts the sixth highest number of start-ups in the country and is in the top ten places in the UK for high growth SMEs with the level of company formation in Warrington consistently growing as business people realise that the skills and expertise they need are here in abundance.

We’re targeting The Base at advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses in particular, sectors where Warrington has particularly strong credentials – and now the town has a fitting new home for ambitious entrepreneurs making Warrington an appropriate base for its entrepreneurs to thrive within.

I’m thrilled to announce too that The Base has already signed up its first tenant that is due to move in to the building in early February and discussions are already underway with a number of other parties to take space.