Earlier this month, The Business Centre (TBC) relaunched its headquarters, TwoSixFive, after stage one of the building’s renovations had been completed.
The Honourable Sharon Claydon MP officially relaunched the site after two years of renovations.
The building was bought by The Business Centre in 1993 and has a long-standing history within the business community. TBC’s Chairperson, Frank Herb said that the renovation was more than just a facelift for the building.
“We designed this building with the region’s small businesses at the front of our minds, TwoSixFive is as much their headquarters as it is ours,” Frank said.
“As a community-invested organisation the team is always working to listen and respond to the needs of our community while adapting to a continually changing business environment.”
TwoSixFive has served as the launch pad for many businesses over the last three decades and was home to the region’s first Small Business Incubator from 2004 to 2014.
During this time the incubator provided thousands of hours of support to regional start-ups with access to high-tech facilities, 20 serviced offices, community event spaces, business advisory services and business training programs.
In 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the building was relaunched as the Small Business Support Centre to assist local businesses through the challenges of the pandemic.
“This collaboration was about connecting established business owners with business experts and low-cost temporary office space, to protect and stabilise their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Frank said.
With the relaunch of the building comes an exciting future, TBC’s CEO, Steve Wait has said that the team will continue with stages two and three of the renovations in the coming years.
“Stage one has been built to allow for stages two and three to follow with minimum interruption and to extend the provision of our disabled access to all upper floors,” Steve said.
“We will also increase the use of smart and environmentally advanced technology, building functionality and being able to offer state-of-the-art and dynamic working spaces for the next generation of our region’s small businesses and start-ups.
“With Stage One of the renovation complete, we are hoping to create a community of business with co-working spaces, business advice and education, networking events and much more all under one roof.
“TwoSixFive aims to make running a business in the Newcastle CBD more accessible to those who may not be able to afford a space in the city centre, or who are having trouble navigating the commercial real estate landscape.”
The Business Centre’s strength has been built on our ability to develop long-term relationships, listen and respond to our community while adapting to a continually changing business environment.
TwoSixFive takes all of this and offers regional businesses a place of community and connections that small businesses may not have immediate access to.
By providing a place of work and community The Business Centre’s goal is to create a business ecosystem within the heart of the Newcastle CBD.
IMAGE | The Business Centre CEO, Steve Wait and Sharon Claydon MP at relaunch event.
