Britain’s best known Apprentice opens Wildspace for business
Britain’s best known apprentice was on hand to open new business units in Havering delivered by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and built by contractor VolkerFitzpatrick in a £5million scheme, designed by the award-winning Alison Brooks Architects.
The first winner of the popular BBC show The Apprentice, Tim Campbell cut the ribbon marking the successful refurbishment and revitalising of former derelict warehouses into landmark high quality business units. Called Wildspace to mark their proximity to Rainham Marshes, the sleek and colourful units will provide opportunities for successful businesses to re-locate and grow in one of five new environmentally sustainable industrial units creating over 80 jobs.
As the founder of the Bright Ideas Trust and the Mayor for London’s training and Enterprise ambassador, Tim Campbell was eager to spell out the link with business expansion in providing training opportunities which could be nurturing tomorrow’s entrepreneurs – who may already be on the payroll.
Mr Campbell said:
‘It’s great to see such superb and incredibly well designed business units opening in Havering. From its trading floors at Canary Wharf to its signature street markets, east London is the crucible for entrepreneurship. With over 60,000 VAT registered companies alone in the area and a high number of business start ups, east London is the capitals hotspot for business growth and these new units will see Havering reap the benefits. ‘
‘Businesses are the place where you can not only earn but learn. The arrival of new and successful businesses to Wildspace is an opportunity for young people to make that first step towards a successful career or even to running a business of their own.’
In his pep talk to businesses leaders who gathered to mark Wildspace’s opening, Mr Campbell urged them to develop real ‘in-work’ training initiatives that allow people to realise their potential which would in turn bring about real businesses benefits.
Speaking at the launch Bob Lane, LTGDC Chair said:
‘Wildspace’s arrival is the latest addition to our development activity in Rainham Village that has seen around £25 million invested. Along with these vibrant units we’ve delivered a new bus interchange at Rainham Station, secured the arrival of a new construction skills campus for Havering College and led in the development of new homes, a library and community centre for the Village. A new footbridge will open up Rainham Marshes for locals and visitors alike. Together our actions are centred on breathing fresh life into Rainham Village and laying good foundations for its sustained regeneration. ’
Strategically located on its own plot at Lamson Road and Ferry Lane and adjacent to Rainham Station, and visible from the Eurostar, the Wildspace consists of a detached single storey industrial warehouse made out of steel portal frames subdivided into five new units available for businesses either separately or in combination. Units range in size from 450 to 986 square metres.
Mark Philips, Divisional Manager at VolkerFitzpatrick, said:
“We are delighted to have finished building these units, which have not only brought long-term derelict land back in to use, but will also provide sustainably built space for the local community and its budding entrepreneurs.”
