Westthorpe Business Innovation Centre

Westthorpe Innovation Centre is the creation of a new business facility providing support services to SMEs in North East Derbyshire. The centre is located on the Westthorpe Fields Business Park, Green Lane, Killamarsh, a former coalfield site in the district of North East Derbyshire.

The Centre has new managed office and workshop units, offered on reasonable and flexible terms to SMEs with growth potential, with preference being given to those looking to exploit innovative products and services. The Centre provides teams of professional support staff to help companies put together sound business plans, and develop their management skills in parallel with their entrepreneurial abilities.

The centre provides Rent-a-Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Office and Virtual Prototyping facilities to create a ‘ladder of provision’ in the building. Incubator units are provided to nurture viable innovative enterprises, but importantly incubator facilities and services are also accessible by SMEs outside the Centre.

One important aspect of the project is its strong links to established business support services throughout North East Derbyshire and beyond. The project is jointly managed with the existing Coney Green Workspace Centre, and draws on the business advisors of the Business Link Derbyshire, the ICT support team of the North Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce, and the network of Sector Champions established through the Chamber of Commerce Phoenix Fund project. The Centre particularly benefits in the early days from access to the Broadband Advisors of the Chamber of Commerce, established with the support of the Broadband Innovation Fund to provide advice and support to SMEs looking to get the best out of ICT applications. In addition a range of training courses with a focus on business needs will be delivered through the Derbyshire County Council’s Lifelong Learning Team.

The Centre provides the following facillities:

• Minimum net lettable floor space of 1,496 m2 (16,101 sq ft)


• 34 flexible units ranging from 18 to 100 square metres


• 3 rent-a-desks and Hot Desk facilities


• High-tec / workshop’ zone


• Virtual prototype workshop


• Virtual Office


• Broadband internet access to each unit


• Reception area, conference room and meeting room/training room


• Manager’s office and Administration office


• Central facilities for photocopying, post room, typing pool, switchboard


• Shower, toilet and kitchen facilities, and networking area with vending


• Cleaners, general stores, plant room and provision for secure cycle storage