Menu

A survey amongst small businesses in Warrington suggests the town’s economy is in good hands and ‘ready for whatever is thrown at us,’ says Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co and director of growth at Warrington Borough Council.

Tenants of the high technology hub at The Base in Dallam Lane delivered strong sales growth, export development and job creation during 2018, the survey findings show.

“The results are quite remarkable,” says Mr Park.

“Average sales growth across our tenant base in 2018 was 46 per cent, whilst 41 per cent of companies have taken on new staff since moving to The Base,” said Mr Park.  “The most encouraging finding relates to the number that launched new products or services, which is a key indicator of future growth potential.  Remarkably, 66 per cent did so in the last year and 58 per cent have collaborated with other tenants in the building to help them.  Warrington’s economy is now amongst the most dynamic in the UK.”

The Base is home to a wide range of businesses involved in different aspects of technology, software and engineering development, many around the transition to ‘Industry 4.0’, the move towards systems integration and digital transformation to speed up manufacturing and business processes and customisation.  Currently, more than 220 staff work in the Grade A office building.

Sylvie Morton, business development manager for Langtree, which manages The Base on behalf of Warrington & Co, believes the ‘eco-system’ in the building encourages an outward looking and ambitious culture amongst tenants.

“We see tenants meeting in our collaboration area all the time and to find that borne out in the research findings is gratifying.

“Our tenants also recognise that their growth will depend on a skilled workforce and so a quarter have recruited apprentices and 41 per cent of all employees are graduates.  The place just fizzes with energy and we have put in place an infrastructure of partners that are committed to helping them grow,” said Mrs Morton.

And, she says, tenants are not afraid to ask for help, with 58 per cent having turned to public sector agencies for some form of support.

The findings follow on the heels of one of The Base’s most high profile tenants, open-source web developer Ixis, reporting record profits following its management buyout.  The company increased revenues by more than 50 per cent to £1.7m, with profit trebling from £227,000 to £638,000.

Steve Park believes the most encouraging statistic lies in the number of tenants exporting.  “A third of our tenants export, which is three times greater than the national average.  An export-oriented economy is a successful one and so this statistic bodes well for Warrington as a whole.”

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies. Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Contact us for more information.

Three leading advisory businesses have joined an existing network of experts to help tenants at The Base maximise their growth potential.

The grade-A offices on Dallam Lane now house more than 220 employees in a range of businesses and the new partners will help speed up their access to leading-edge advice.

The intellectual property team at law firm Brabners, corporate finance advisors at accountants Jackson Stephen and promotional experts at CST Marketing join Santander, Inventya and FDR Law to provide a full suite of advisory services to tenants, including areas such as tax, R&D, innovation, law and product commercialisation.

“The Base has established itself as Warrington’s leading hub for innovative, high-growth businesses and our new partners broaden the range of expertise they can access to help them grow even faster,” said Sylvie Morton, business development manager at Langtree, who manage the building on behalf of owners Warrington & Co.

A twelve month programme of clinics and joint events delivered by the partners begins this month and includes subjects such as innovation, product commercialisation and Industry 4.0 technologies.  Tenants are then free to contract with the partners on more detailed support, as required.

Commenting on their backing for the initiative, Sarah Smith at business and tax advisors Jackson Stephen, said: “The success of The Base speaks for itself.  There’s no other hub like it in Warrington where so many people are involved in innovation and are focused on growth.  We’re delighted to be able to support such enterprising businesses and to help them accelerate their development.  Warrington is well known for its high levels of company formation and we have particular expertise in supporting high growth companies.”

The Base provides 50,000 square feet of Grade A office space and is home to over 20 businesses in a range of industries.  The building was developed by Warrington & Co, the private-sector led regeneration arm of Warrington Council.  It is home to the successful BaseConnect online networking platform, which provides a networking hub for leading engineering and technology innovators involved in the Warrington area and has more than 200 members.  More information can be found here.

The Managing Director of Warrington’s private sector-led economic development agency says that Warrington’s economic growth ‘stands or falls on collaboration between local firms.’

Steve Park of Warrington & Co, the partnership between the council and private businesses, says he sees each day how collaboration between tenants at the council’s hi-technology office building The Base on Dallam Lane, is leading to new products, jobs and investment.

The 50,000 sq ft grade A office is now home to more than 220 staff at 21 firms, many ‘routinely collaborating’ to secure larger contracts or to develop new products, says Mr Park.

“We’re all collaborators now.  You either tap in to complementary skills and expertise or you go backwards.  And the same holds for cities as it does for companies,” says Mr Park, who points to the dedicated collaboration space and a carefully-conceived programme of networking events at The Base as key to igniting tenants’ collaborative ethos.

“It’s developed a life of its own, with people meeting in our collaboration space and exploring how they can work together.  It’s its own eco-system now and occupiers like Avanite are starting to grab the headlines.”

Avanite was the first beneficiary of a new business angel investment network established by Warrington-based corporate financiers DSW.  The half million pound working capital injection it secured will be used to develop the sales potential of the company’s unique technology called Web Data Control.  The service removes unwanted cookies from machines and corporate networks, speeding network performance and efficiency.

Avanite’s neighbour, Resulting-IT, is launching its new SAP Success Optimiser and along the corridor Iris Networks are collaborating with a leading north west university and a major private sector partner on a yet-to-be-revealed technology project which the company describes as a ‘game changer’.

The point, says Park, is that with some critical intervention from the public sector Warrington has added a new string to the town’s thriving technology economy – and one which is starting to feed off itself.

“When I look at what is going on at The Base I see how Warrington’s economy can branch out and develop further,” he adds.  “The appetite for innovation, for risk and for sheer hard work never ceases to amaze me and a whole new layer of significant employers is being created that will future-proof our economy over the next decade or so.”

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies. Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Contact us for more information.

Warrington boasts the sixth highest number of start-ups in the country and is in the top ten places in the UK for high growth SMEs – and now, say bosses at Warrington Borough Council, the town has a fitting new home for ambitious entrepreneurs.

The Base, a 50,000 sq ft grade ‘A’ office building in the town’s emerging central business district, has been developed by Warrington & Co., Warrington’s partnership for growth, on behalf of Warrington Borough Council to meet demand from ambitious SMEs for high quality business space.  And, Leader of Warrington Borough Council; Cllr Terry O’Neill, says, he has no doubt it will soon be humming with enterprise.

“The level of company formation in Warrington just keeps on growing as business people realise that the skills and expertise they need are here in abundance.  We’re targeting The Base at advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses in particular, sectors where Warrington has strong credentials.

“The Base plays to the town’s strengths.  Ambitious businesses want to co-locate with like-minded firms in their early days before they reach a size where they need to spread their wings and so there will be a business development manager on hand to lend their experience as part of the overall package.  A home like this gives small firms enhanced credibility.” added Cllr O’Neill.
The five story development, designed by Liverpool-based Falconer Chester Hall and constructed by ISG, offers flexible space from a single desk up to a whole floor plate of 10,000 square feet.
Jayne Furnival, group property director at Langtree, who provide all aspects of the building’s management, said that The Base’s location was key to its appeal: “You’ve got bus and rail interchanges immediately to the south, along with the town’s retail core, and a growing business base around the stadium.  The emerging central business district will be key to the town’s future growth and we’re delighted to be a focal point of that,” she noted.

Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co. added, “This is a fabulous facility in a superb location. Warrington is always top of the UK start up tables and this will provide a much needed facility that will support the growth of fledgling businesses.”

The first tenant is due to move in to the building in early February and discussions are already underway with a number of other parties with regards to taking space, added Jayne.
The High Sheriff of Cheshire, Bill Holroyd CBE, DL, officially opens the building at a ceremony on 21st January for invited guests from the region’s property and business communities.

The respected Centre for Cities think tank has released a recent report* forecasting that the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to the redundancy of nearly a quarter of Warrington’s jobs.

The head of the town’s investment agency has acknowledged the report’s findings as ‘helpful’ but says that the town’s strengths in the technology, nuclear and manufacturing sectors should ‘more than balance out’ what jobs may be lost.

Interesting reading

“The report makes for interesting reading and there’s some helpful analysis in there that tells us that our strategy of developing a cluster of technology businesses specifically targeting the engineering and nuclear sectors is the right one.  In essence, we can have our cake and eat it,” says Steve Park, the CEO of Warrington & Co.

He says that by developing tech businesses that can help local manufacturers become more efficient and competitive, the town can develop a workforce that can then export its skills worldwide.

And, says Mr Park, investments like The Base in Dallam Lane and its neighbouring University Technical College, are helping ‘future proof’ the town’s economy.

“The whole convergence of digital technologies with manufacturing sits well with Warrington, as we have great strengths in both.

Our schools and colleges are now teaching youngsters coding and other vital digital skills and we’re already seeing that feed through in to the recruits at places like The Base, which is home to almost 150 skilled workers.

The Base’s tenants work in a wide range of digital and engineering-related industries and the collaboration between them is creating a whole eco-system of growing, innovative companies.”

A unique software

One of those businesses is Avanite, which has developed a unique software system that helps tidy up workplace computers, removing the cookies that clog-up expensive hard drive space and slow down computer processing, damaging productivity.

The company now has thousands of users worldwide and is busy recruiting ‘re-sellers’ to take the product in to new global markets.

“We’re expecting to double in size this year,” explains Avanite director Francesco Giarletta.  “We see only opportunity from continued digitalisation.

If Warrington can ensure that its school children are equipped with the skills to help companies like ours grow then there’s a great future for them and for the town.”

And, whilst there may be a lag in the supply of skilled youngsters coming on to the market, employers are investing heavily in training and development to plug the gap, says Steve Park.

Technological change

“Technological change is so rapid that it’s always going to be difficult for the education sector to keep pace, but we’re on the right track and have great partnerships with Warrington’s employers to train our young people to be job-ready.

Major employers like Siemens and Unilever are working with the UTC on collaborations that lead the country.  We have every reason to be optimistic,” believes Mr Park.

“Predicting doom and gloom will always grab the headlines, but here in Warrington we see Artificial Intelligence as just another example of why we need to remain on our toes and be flexible and open to change as a workforce and a community,” he concludes.

*Cities Outlook 2018 is available to download at www.centreforcities.org.uk

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies. Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Contact us for more information.

A trio of tech lettings to tech companies at The Base is proof that Warrington’s position between Manchester and Liverpool – for years a major factor in its growth – can continue to sustain and grow the town as Britain’s economy changes.

That’s the view of Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co, the council’s public-private sector regeneration arm.

Great location

He says that easy rail and road links into Warrington from its bigger neighbours is helping tech-led businesses such as Cube32 Studios and DAT Draughting Services attract and retain the skilled staff that they need.

“We don’t have a Northern Quarter or a Baltic Triangle in Warrington, but we’re growing a cluster of hi-tech companies here because they see the locational advantages.  They can tap into two established labour pools yet access vital business support in somewhere like The Base.  There’s an exciting tech cluster developing here that is helping future-proof our economy.”

More than 130 staff

The three new occupiers at The Base on Dallam Lane, which also includes JSA Design, take the number of tech and engineering occupiers at the space to 16.  More than 130 staff now work in the 50,000 sq ft grade A office, which is managed by Langtree on behalf of Warrington & Co.

Chris Bain, the managing director of Cube32, said: “Attracting and retaining talent is key to our whole business plan and being in Warrington makes that much easier.  Draw a map showing a 30 minute commute and you’re looking at a workforce of more than three million people.”

Productivity boost

At a recent presentation at The Base by Siemens’ chief technology officer, Alan Norbury, the audience heard that technology-led manufacturing companies could expect to see a 30% boost to productivity as the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ took hold.  He predicted a significant boost for the north west, with its strong cohort of advanced manufacturers.

“Norbury’s comments really chimed with us in Warrington,” says Steve Park.  “We want to have our cake and eat it: be a home for the tech businesses that are driving productivity gains for our existing manufacturers.  That would set us fair for years to come.”

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies. Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Contact us for more information.

GDPR can be difficult to wrap your head around. A room full of nervous business people. The threat of fines and David Wood, IT Director of FDR law, a calm head in a sea of confusion.

Our Latest Event

The latest event at The Base provided insights on the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

Most significantly, we learned the actions needed by May 2018 and the challenge of “Why haven’t we started already?” emphasized by David.

Those that attended benefited from David’s knowledge as well as advice. And, in addition to sharing his slide deck, David even offered a forum to ask GDPR questions after the event.

New Regulation

The new regulation places responsibility on the data controller for data management. Businesses will no longer be able to sidestep accountability by ‘passing the buck’ to outsourced data processors.

In fact, the arrangements you have with third parties need to comply with the GDPR too. And clients and partners, as David pointed out, will soon be asking the same of us.

Policies and Procedures

Businesses must therefore ensure that their policies and procedures are documented to support the rights of the individual whilst also legitimising their own data usage – be that for day to day commercial expediency, legal obligations or providing for that individual’s best interests (which can include providing a better service).

The need to record the how, what, where and who of data you hold and policies to protect Personal Identifiable Information (PII) was David’s strongest recommendation.

This will ensure you have a response ready, within 72 hours, if you should fail any criteria (e.g. if you’re breached); meaning the potential fine from the ICO could be mitigated.

Resources

To that end, David pointed the audience to a number of resources and examples from the BBC’s Information and Privacy statements (as Plain English best practice) to guidance on cybersecurity from the NCSC.

Beyond the depth and detail of the seminar, David’s directions for practical action extended the very real and pragmatic approach he gave to his presentation.

If you’d like to attend an event as valuable as this one was, please register with the BaseConnect community.

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies. Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Contact us for more information.

The Base Warrington, grade A office hub for advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses has signed up five new tenants.

Deals with 5 businesses

Langtree, has confirmed deals with Meritec, Swan IT, Redwood Bank, Simple Solutions, and Olive Construction for almost 4,000 sq ft in the 50,000 sq ft building on Dallam Lane managed by Warrington & Co.

Jayne Furnival, Langtree’s group property director, reveals negotiations underway for four additional offices at the sought-after building.

“Our tenants tell us that the building’s locational advantages were key factors in their choice.

They like its proximity to Warrington Central station and the A49 as it widens the pool of labour they can draw on as they grow.”

Warrington, the place to live & work

The spike in lettings keeps the building on target for occupancy, with Steve Park from Warrington & Co attributing the town’s enduring appeal to both living and working.

“Being aware of Warrington’s entrepreneurial reputation, it was refreshing to see the other side in the recent CACI review,” Mr. Park commented on the national survey by the data giant that ranked Warrington among the top ten places to live in the UK.

“Few places combine quality of life with business success and sustainable infrastructure in the way that Warrington does,” added Mr Park.

“The Base is part of our wider strategy to ensure that the town properly capitalises on this appeal so that it can continue to grow and prosper.”

Collaboration is critical

Meritec’s Adam Gardner emphasizes the vital role of peer proximity in fostering collaboration and progress within the tech sector.

We’ve only been here a few weeks but can already feel the vibrant atmosphere at The Base warrington, which makes collaboration and ultimately progress happen.  We’re absolutely delighted to be here.”

New occupiers are supported by the active networking and advisory programme available to all the building’s tenants.

Its BaseConnect program thrives with 120+ active members in Warrington, engaging in dynamic events, seminars, and masterclasses.

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base Warrington, grade A office hub for advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses has signed up five new tenants.

Deals with 5 businesses

Langtree, has confirmed deals with Meritec, Swan IT, Redwood Bank, Simple Solutions, and Olive Construction for almost 4,000 sq ft in the 50,000 sq ft building on Dallam Lane managed by Warrington & Co.

Jayne Furnival, Langtree’s group property director, reveals that an additional four offices at the sought-after building are currently under negotiation.

“Our tenants tell us that the building’s locational advantages were key factors in their choice.

They value its nearness to Warrington Central station and the A49, broadening their access to a growing labor pool.”

Warrington, the place to live & work

Steve Park of Warrington & Co attributes the town’s ongoing appeal for living and working to the lettings spike, maintaining occupancy goals.

Noting Warrington’s entrepreneurial image, Mr. Park finds a refreshing perspective in the recent CACI review, which ranked it top 10 places to live

Mr. Park notes Warrington uniquely merges quality of life, business success, and sustainable infrastructure, setting it apart.

“The Base aligns with our strategy to maximize the town’s appeal, fostering growth and prosperity.”

Collaboration is critical

Tech tenant Meritec’s Adam Gardner emphasizes peer proximity’s significance in fostering critical collaboration within the sector.

“A few weeks in, we are already immersed in the vibrant atmosphere at The Base Warrington. This dynamic environment fosters collaboration, consequently driving substantial progress. We’re absolutely delighted to be here.”

All building tenants benefit from an active networking and advisory program, providing robust support to new occupiers.

The BaseConnect program has over 120 active members from the wider Warrington region participating in various events.

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base, a Grade-A office and co-working space in Warrington, houses market-leading digital technology and advanced engineering firms.

As a resident of The Base, you’ll receive free business support, including marketing, legal advice, and innovation assistance.

Contact us for more information.

Calling The Base your grants you free business support, including marketing, legal advice, and assistance with innovation.

In just half a year, BaseConnect welcomes its 100th member, thriving as the premier networking platform for Warrington’s tech leaders.

Dynamic Meetups Fueling Collaboration

Gathering at The Base, Warrington’s advanced manufacturing hub on Dallam Lane, tech innovators engage through seminars, workshops, and events.

Glow New Media Joins the Ranks

Glow New Media becomes the 100th proud member, propelling our goal to achieve 150 active participants.

Fueling Warrington’s Dynamic Economy

Sylvie Morton, Langtree’s business development manager, highlights the vibrant event growth at The Base, echoing Warrington’s economic vitality.

Collaboration Sparks Innovation

Glow’s Phil Blything emphasises how collaboration and BaseConnect networks ignite technical innovation and development.

Unlock Opportunities with BaseConnect

Join Warrington’s thriving tech community, access events, news, and networking opportunities.

A Digital Discussion Awaits

Mark October 4th at 1:30 pm for ‘Digitalisation changes everything,’ led by IET and Siemens at The Base.

Empowering Ambitious SMEs

Directors of ambitious SMEs, secure your spot by registering at baseconnect.thebasewarrington.co.uk.

Discover The Base Advantage

Explore The Base: a dynamic hub for digital technology and advanced engineering businesses in Warrington.

Unlock Your Potential at The Base

Experience vibrant co-working and free business support, empowering growth and innovation.

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies.

Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Get in Touch

Contact us to learn more about The Base’s thriving community and opportunities.

Addressing Skills Challenges: NSAN’s Strategic Move

The National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN), takes a leap toward addressing UK nuclear industry skills challenges. Signing a three-year lease at The Base Warrington, NSAN relocates its Northwest regional office for enhanced impact.

A Strategic Shift: Northwest Regional Office Relocation

The deal sees NSAN move its Northwest regional office from the South of the town to its new home in the emerging commercial district.

This move accommodates up to 15 staff members, fostering collaboration and growth.

Thriving Hub of Nuclear Excellence

Warrington is home to one of the UK’s largest clusters of nuclear engineering and research employers. The Base has been established to support companies in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors.

Seamless Integration with The Base’s Vision

“Jayne Furnival, Langtree’s group property director, confirms, ‘This aligns perfectly with The Base,’ as we manage it for Warrington & Co.”

“NSAN is playing a key role in developing talent to support the UK’s nuclear programme and The Base has become a hub for technical and research excellence.  We have a lively events and networking programme which will help NSAN articulate its mission across the region.”

Unveiling Benefits: Proximity and Connectivity

Commenting on the move, Nick Cusick, Finance Director at NSAN, said: “Warrington provides NSAN with an ideal location for our Northwest office, with many of the UK’s leading nuclear engineering, research and training organisations having offices close by. 

The Base’s central location also provides our members not based in the Warrington area with accessible transport links.”

A Collaboration for Growth and Progress

The Base provides Grade A office space, co-working space and has a range of meeting rooms and event space.

Warrington & Co, the private-sector led regeneration arm of Warrington Council, developed the building and Langtree manages it on their behalf.