Despite the current economic downturn, Driffield is currently bursting with business opportunities, with a host of low cost units available to rent for start-up companies.
Top quality help is also on hand for would-be entrepreneurs who choose to base themselves in the town.
The East Riding of Yorkshire council’s business services team has been re-assessed and received the coveted Customer First award for the fifth time after a successful re-accreditation.
During the current difficult climate for business, the team has played an essential role in the economic development of the East Riding.
The team of advisors is involved in the direct assistance of small businesses and other services, as well as operating more than 100 managed workspace units which are let to new and growing companies across the East Riding.
At the Business Centre on Skerne Road in Driffield, there are half a dozen units available to let with monthly rents between £200 and £300.
Among them are workshops which have gas and three-phase electric and water supply. The others are office space with electric supply only.
The business service team which serves Driffield was first accredited in 2002 and was the first local authority to hold the award; since then, they have been successfully re-accredited on a bi-annual basis.
Customer First is a nationally recognised, external accreditation, examining the way organisations look after their customers. It is part of the National Enterprise Network and is awarded to ‘public-facing’ organisations which are audited every two years to ensure they are progressing and continue to offer good services and attention to their clients.
The award recognises the quality of client care and follow-up in any interaction with the business support team. It also assesses how the team has developed to ensure continuing service improvements and demonstrated best practice in its activities.
Adrian Shaw, business services manager, said: “We are delighted to have again received the Customer First award and the external assessor made some very encouraging remarks about the business services team.
“We feel we have achieved and kept the award by working as a team, raising awareness of the Customer First standards, and by continuously looking at the service we deliver and how we can improve.
“We shall continue to play an integral part in securing external funding for economic development projects.”
Councillor Andy Burton, portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration, said: “This a well-deserved accolade for the team. They provide an excellent service in support of local businesses and the award reflects all their hard work, particularly in the current economic climate”.
The business services unit is part of East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s economic development activities. It operates out of six centres: Beverley, Bridlington, Brough, Driffield, Goole and Market Weighton.
The services available from the business centres include assistance with training, managed workspace and one-to-one counselling for pre-starts, start-ups or existing businesses, both on site or at the business premises.