Sustainable Communities

57 High Street, Ibstock

"Making Ibstock a better place to live, work and play"

The project has refurbished and partly redeveloped the former National School building in Ibstock into a managed workspace and community venue.

Organisation: Ibstock Community Enterprises Ltd.

Completion Date: 30/06/2004

Location

Ibstock, North West Leicestershire

Project Description

This is a really exciting project that will see this important icon on Ibstock High Street brought back into productive use and it will make a real contribution to the long-term future of Ibstock's economy. ICE looks forward to an exciting future in which we continue to play our part in making Ibstock a better place to live, work and play - Barry Hayles, Hayles Farrar & Partners, Chair of Ibstock Community Enterprises Ltd

The building at 57 High Street, Ibstock, is in a key location and it has been transformed by this project. It included the redevelopment of 470m2 of Brownfield land, providing approximately 385m2 of lettable business space, divided into eight flexible units, suitable for start-up businesses.

Training and ICT
It also provides a purpose-built, high-specification training suite and meeting space, suitable for use by local residents, groups and businesses. In partnership with Leicestershire Adult Learning Service, the training suite offers a range of courses suitable for both individuals and businesses, including access to bespoke packages. It is also rented by private training providers and local businesses.

The project has also significantly enhanced the use of ICT by Ibstock Community Enterprises (ICE) for its own purposes, and provides high quality connectivity and support for all tenants of the premises. There is be a wireless Internet connection point and a public access IT facility geared to the needs of business, offering video conferencing and other facilities.

Outcomes

Employment
The project has created one direct full-time post to manage the Centre and provide business services. The let business premises have also generated additional employment, as tenants have expanded and taken on additional staff.

The construction phase of the project supported 16 jobs - wherever possible contractors local to Ibstock were used.

Retail base
The project is also helping to support the retail base of Ibstock by diversifying and increasing activity on Ibstock High Street -this was identified as an action within the original Civic Trust Regeneration Study for Ibstock. ICE is currently exploring ways to measure and quantify this impact.

Supporting business and ICE
The range of business services and support offered are available to all businesses in Ibstock and the surrounding area, which is helping to consolidate and enhance existing and potential employment and services.

As the project is developing it is beginning to generate income to help ICE in the regeneration of Ibstock, firstly to support core activities but eventually for new projects in Ibstock as determined by the members of ICE.

Project Contacts

Project manager:
Rachel Elliott
Tel: 01530 262 882
E-mail: info@ibstock.org.uk
Website: www.project57.org.uk

LSEP contact:
Gill Smitherman
Tel: 0116 257 5676
Email: gills@lsep.co.uk
Website: www.lsep.co.uk