The Business Terrace: June – November 2016 P & R Report Information

Contents
1. Business Support

2. Events

3. Publicity

4. Social Media

Business support to unique Individuals and businesses

Unique individuals

Total

383

Information

Total

262

Property searches

13

Start up resource centre

240

Economic Development staff assistance (eg regarding rates relief)

9

Advice

Total

47

Kent Foundation Workshops (start-ups)

41

RIFT workshops (growth)

6

Guidance

Total

74

Pre-starts

13

Start-ups

16

Growing

23

Access to finance

15

Business Planning

7

 

Events

Events

Partners

Date

Attendees

Impact

Autumn Statement Analysis

IOD, MHA MacIntyre Hudson

23/11

15 senior Kent business leaders

Greater profile. Quotes from 'senior business leaders' in the Kent Messenger made at The Terrace.

Entrepreneur's Journey

Kent Foundation

14/11

48 local attended from local businesses from start-ups to MEBP members

Three enquiries for business advice and desk space. Two on waiting list for office space. Seminar room booking.

Terrace Networking Event

Maidstone Borough Council

25/10

20 Business Terrace Tenants

Greater understanding between the needs of businesses and Economic Development

Digital Transformation in the Workplace

KCC, Cisco, Gravitee

19/10

20 representatives from local government/private enterprise

Use of the Terrace to display the utility of remote working

Dragon's Den

Young Start up Talent

21/07

16 - judges from business and young entrepreneurs

Greater profile: The Terrace was chosen as the innovative location in Kent for the event

 

Publicity

Publicity

Detail

Results

Downsmail

1 page advert, 1 page half editorial half advert showing success stories

Too recent to assess impact

KM online

1st month

1316 views, 23 clicks

KMFM

45,000 reach

1 Unlimited hotdesk

FB

Advertising post boost

Reach of 3972 people locally – targeted to interests, 77 engagements

Gumtree
(Free)

288 views since Aug 25th

2 part time deskers, one took an office

Office Genie

(Free)

211 views

1 full time desker wants to take office, 1 office waiting list

Share my office
(Free)

No stats given

No direct enquiries

Zipcube

(Free)

12% fees

One booking from Pfizer, information given for future bookings

Neardesk

(Free)

Unable to integrate with system

NA

 

Social Media

Social Media stats

Twitter

Facebook

Linkedin

1459 followers. Engagements in the week 17 - 24 September
New Followers:  32
Likes:  25
Retweets: 32
Mentions: 20
Direct engagement: 4

Organic engagement at 124 for last month. Any future use of advertising budget will be targeted to shorter periods, such as during bad weather & ongoing traffic (operation stack) where rural small businesses are affected more

18 members of group, limited reach, technical difficulties, utility limited to MBC's target audience

 

Changes

Past

Digital Workers partnership: Promoting remote working rather than London commuting.

Reduced seminar room price due to low uptake, leading to increased uptake and profitability

Pentascape partnership: Business Terrace success story returning 2 days per month to assist other start-ups in web design for free.

Interview process: Prospective office tenants undergo a short interview with the Business Centre Coordinator and a Business Advisor to ensure they plan to grow, accept help and advice provided, collaborate and adhere to the ethos of The Terrace. 4 interviews conducted, 3 accepted and one rejected.

Ongoing

Office 12: Construction complete December 3rd. A two person office producing an income of £3000 per year with a tenant ready to occupy, having passed the interview process.

Bi-monthly networking events: Due to the success of the events 25th October and 14th November, there will be a free bi-monthly networking event for Maidstone businesses and Terrace users.

Improved partnerships with other hubs and office spaces, so far leading to two referrals to the Terrace.

Planned

KICC after-hours events: 6 networking events run by KICC at the Terrace in 2017 to increase awareness of the Terrace and to help connect Maidstone businesses further and improve supply chains.

Evening workshops: Building on Kent Foundation’s successful morning workshops to reach a wider range of possible entrepreneurs unable to attend during the working day.