PROPOSALS are being developed for a one-stop-shop business centre in Greenock.
The proposed Greenock Enterprise Hub is a priority project identified by Greenock Town Board which administers the Greenock Pride in Place 10-year regeneration plan.
A report updating Inverclyde councillors states: “The board envisions that this hub will become a ‘one-stop-shop’ for business, providing high-quality space and support to start-ups and growing businesses, encouraging entrepreneurialism and tackling local economic decline.”
An outline business case (OBC) prepared for the board found that there is “a very strong strategic case” for developing an enterprise hub in Greenock and that it appears it would be viable and deliver value for money. A full business case (FBC) is now being drawn up.
The preferred location is council premises in Wallace Place. The report states: “An initial assessment of the hub’s viability was based on the redevelopment of Wallace Place for this purpose and it unlikely that the project would be able to proceed in any other location.”
“The OBC also reviewed potential operating models and found that the facility would be best owned and operated by a third party with experience of managing spaces of this nature.
“Riverside Inverclyde (RI), which has significant expertise in this area, a strong understanding of the local market and an ability to keep this important heritage asset in public ownership, was identified as a potential owner-operator.”
The report continues: “The further development of this proposal does not prejudice services currently operating from Wallace Place [including Central Library] and that its agreement to note this paper does not indicate its support for disposal of the property or relocation of existing services currently operating from this building.
“Subject to the findings of the FBC and Town Board approval, the project would only be able to proceed with council approval. In the event that the FBC finds the project is still viable and the Town Board wishes to support it, officers will bring further proposals (which will ensure there is no diminution of services) to committee for approval.”
