Regeneration award win for district council

A flagship business centre developed and managed by Newark and Sherwood District Council has won a regional regeneration award.

Newark Beacon business innovation centre was one of three finalists in the ‘regeneration project’ category at the Nottingham Evening Post Commercial Property Awards 2008. It scooped the top honour at a special ceremony fighting off stiff competition from the two other regional regeneration finalists.

Newark Beacon was officially opened in 2007 by Dragons’ Den star and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis and is the district council's flagship centre for ‘fledgling’ businesses. It provides dedicated office and workshop space for the businesses in their early years.

With the aim of encouraging ‘knowledge based’ businesses to start up and grow in Newark and Sherwood, Newark Beacon has become home to training, website, software and energy saving businesses, among others.

Newark Beacon was also developed with ‘green’ credentials wherever possible. As well as an energy efficient and environmentally friendly air management system which naturally circulates the air around the building, the centre also features a biomass boiler.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Economic Regeneration Manager Mike Robinson said: “We feel this award is well deserved, given the impact the scheme has had on business in Newark. It’s helped to put Newark on the map - it’s a great place for commercial investment especially now that the area has Growth Point status.”

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s cabinet member for sustainable development and regeneration Councillor Roger Blaney said: “We are immensely proud to have won this award. It is a fitting recognition of the hard work by so many people that has made the Newark Beacon such a success.”

Winners were announced at a ceremony on Thursday March 19 2009.

For further information please contact: Sally Clark, Communications Officer,
Newark and Sherwood District Council, Tel: 01636 655886. Email: sally.clark@nsdc.info

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