Entrepreneur sets up business hub in former court building
ASUCCESSFUL entrepreneur has set up a business hub in her home town. Hannah James, a former Rhyl High School student, was impressed by the amount of public investment in Rhyl and decided to transform the town’s former County Court on Clwyd Street, which closed in 2016, into a business hub with meeting and function rooms.
She is being supported with a grant from Denbighshire County Council to purchase equipment to help her kit out the building, renamed Clwyd Chambers.
Chartered building surveyor Ms James, who graduated from Coventry University, also runs her own firm, Hannah James Associates, from Clwyd Chambers.
Ms James, who has previously worked in Oxford, the Midlands and Cheshire, said: “I chose Rhyl as it’s my home town – my family have lived here for four generations, I am bringing children up in the town and I am passionate about supporting the town through business growth and development.
“I purchased the building in September and have made alterations to refurbish the building into a fully functioning business hub with 13 flexible small business units as well as converting the courtroom into a high-quality meeting and function room.
“The aim is to create a space in Rhyl for businesses to use as much or as little as they need. We are offering all-inclusive rates, flexible terms, furniture if needed, meeting spaces and tea and coffee facilities.
“Many people work from home, it is very difficult to present yourself as competent and professional to clients whilst over the kitchen table. I know, I have done it.
“I am actively promoting small businesses and giving a place for them to get support, collaborate and grow.
“I have purchased the property and I am keen to support the public investment in the town with our private investment. Support from all sides will regenerate the building.
“There are more micro and small businesses, similar to my own, in north Wales than in any other area.”
Denbighshire County Council’s grant, provided through the council’s Economic and Business Development team, will help pay for signage, furniture, training and office equipment.
Hugh Evans OBE, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “The council is proud to be able to support the excellent work ongoing at this fantastic new business hub.
“It shows there is confidence in Rhyl. This facility will offer new and growing businesses the chance to expand and take advantage of modern facilities in the centre of a busy town. This will give a boost to businesses in the town and help increase footfall.
“With a host of other developments ongoing in the town, including the recently opened 1891 restaurant and the new water park, private investment is now coming through.”
Business support grants form part of the council’s work to develop the local economy by helping local businesses to create jobs and increase household incomes.
Ms James added: “We are also providing a training centre for collaborative working for small businesses. Collaborative working for small businesses allows us all to take a ‘bigger bite of the work by doing it together’ – it’s the silent revolution.
“Here in Wales we need to look at things differently post-Brexit and to actively collaborate to be competitive. We need to work together to thrive and grow.
“Clwyd Chambers is set to become the catalyst for regeneration of local businesses across the region.”