New workspaces built inside Sleaford station open for business

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New businesses are starting to move into one of Lincolnshire’s newest workspaces after it opened last week.

An eight-month project to convert part of the Sleaford railway station building into eight new offices for start-up enterprises was completed on Friday 4th March when builders Taylor Pearson hand over the workspace to North Kesteven District Council Leader Councillor Mrs Marion Brighton, OBE.

The council has worked in partnership with Network Rail and East Midlands Trains, taking a 15-year lease on a 2,000 sq ft part of the station.

The £125,000 refurbishment project has been part-funded by Lincolnshire County Council with the aim of creating up to 25 jobs and supporting up to 15 new businesses during the project’s lifespan.

There is also the benefit of smartening up a part of the station which has been empty and boarded up for many years and bringing added vibrancy to this area of the town.

Councillor Mrs Brighton said. “As well as encouraging fledgling new businesses, we hope that by taking a lead in this way we can encourage fresh fortunes for this part of the town.

“The railway station is an important building at a gateway to Sleaford. For too long it has been an eyesore but this work and other initiatives help to give people arriving by train the right impression of a vibrant town.”

The workspace conversion fits in with the council’s wider aims of enhancing Sleaford through a series of initiatives linked to the long-term vision of the Sleaford Masterplan.

Central to these are the economic aspirations for the wider Southgate area centred on the railway crossing.

“We can only hope that as tenants move in to these useful and attractive workspaces they enjoy every prosperity and success,” said Councillor Mrs Brighton.

The units, available on flexible terms based on rents of £10 per square foot, are being marketed by Lincoln-based chartered surveyors Hodgson Elkington on behalf of North Kesteven District Council.

Tom Elkington commented: “We have been very encouraged by the positive nature of the interest shown ahead of the completion of the scheme and are confident that it will not be long before we will be welcoming the first tenants.”

Spaces within the Sleaford Station Business Centre range in size from 97 to 883 square feet and are designed to meet demand for small start-up office space in the town.

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