STARTING a business requires a lot of planning \u2013 setting up an office, hiring staff, organising technology and communications \u2013 which can be daunting.<\/p>\n
Ballarat Business Centre, founded in 2001, offers small businesses from across the region a combination of low cost, suitably sized accommodation and support services which can alleviate some of the pain of start-ups.<\/p>\n
BBC, having transformed the old Ballarat Group Practice building at 706 Sturt Street Ballarat, officially launched this newest addition to their portfolio of serviced offices last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur occupancy rate has been about 90 per cent or above for about five years now,\u201d said BBC manager Simone Anderson.<\/p>\n
Business analyst research company IbisWorld recently reported, \u201cThe serviced office leasing industry\u2019s revenue has grown strongly over the past five years.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo keys to success in the sector are the ability to provide services in diverse locations that are adaptable to suit the different needs of clients.\u201d Ms Anderson said BBC experience is in line with IbisWorld\u2019s sector analysis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the launch of the refurbished building we now provide 70+ supported offices and eight industrial workshops specifically designed for start-ups from three central locations.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the start-up and emerging business tenants grow and become viable, they tend to move into leased premises of their own thus allowing BBC to continually focus on supporting upcoming enterprises.<\/p>\n
Ms Anderson said, \u201cOur bread and butter clients are people who have established a business working from home who now need a presence in a low-cost commercial space.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe often find ourselves acting as a facilitator introducing our tenants if they need access to each other\u2019s services.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Anderson said 15 of the 25 office spaces available in the new building were filled within eight weeks of going to market indicating there is a huge demand still for serviced office accommodation.<\/p>\n
Commerce Ballarat is the region\u2019s leading business membership and advocacy organisation and CEO Jodie Gillet, congratulated BBC on its expansion.<\/p>\n
\u201cBringing a new building on stream demonstrates not only are they are meeting the demands of their market but also shows the growth of start-up businesses in Ballarat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
STARTING a business requires a lot of planning \u2013 setting up an office, hiring staff, organising technology and communications \u2013 which can be daunting. Ballarat Business Centre, founded in 2001, offers small businesses from across the region a combination of low cost, suitably sized accommodation and support services which can alleviate some of the pain […]<\/p>\n