Central office space open for business

NOT-for-profit organisation Ballarat Business Centre recently opened its fourth office building in the city, with room for twenty-five growing local enterprises.

Centre manager Simone Anderson said the central Lowe Street site is almost entirely refurbished, predominantly offering low-cost office accommodation to emerging and start-up businesses.

“We’ve had such a demand from people looking for office space that don’t want to be locked into anything long-term,” she said.

“We offer month-by-month licence agreements. It gives people a chance to be able to give their business idea a go for three or six months, without committing to a commercial space they can’t get out of if things don’t work out.

“There’s certainly a demand for that, as we generally run at 90 per cent occupancy, with all types of businesses, from NDIS providers to financial services.”

The building currently has six vacant offices without tenants. There are meeting rooms which can be hired by any business for a few hours, or a day, and a lounge which is unique to the Lowe Street centre.

“People in transit who might need to fill in time between appointments can come and sit in the business lounge and work,” Ms Anderson said.

Once the refurb is fully complete, the building will be easily accessible to everyone in the community, with the installation of wide electric front doors, and all-abilities facilities. There is also a kitchen.

The Ballarat Business Centre has three office buildings across the city, and one industrial shed space. They are all staffed, with reception services available.

The organisation can help with business plans, mentoring, and advertising. They run workshops, networking sessions, and provide opportunities for ideas sharing.

“If people are considering moving from their home into a space that’s cost-effective, we’re the people they can come and speak to,” Ms Anderson said.

“There’s always a space to collaborate and someone to run an idea past.”