Jobs boost for Hull as Base Business Space provides space for fast growing firms

The former Chamberlain Business Park has been rebranded as Base Business Space by owners Allenby Commercial, who bought the site in December 2020 to address a shortage of quality, efficient and useable business space.

After carrying out a programme of urgent initial works, Allenby Commercial began taking new tenants in April 2021.

A spokesman said: " An influx of small firms has breathed new life into the location with business owners working in sectors including logistics, flooring, offshore safety equipment, car valeting and detailing and dance and fitness.

"With around 25 jobs created by the new tenants, the total number of businesses has climbed to 65 with more than 200 employees."

Dale Gooderham, Asset Manager at Allenby Commercial, said: “The rising cost of building is proving a challenge in developing units for SMEs and that’s why Base offered such a unique opportunity in a convenient location.

"We set about repurposing the existing units, bringing them into use to suit the 21 st century market place.

“We will continue investing. The priority has always been the inside of the buildings because people want to be in there and working, but we’re also tidying up the exteriors and there are plans for some new-build as well.”

Derelict buildings have been transformed with the introduction of eco-friendly features including double glazing, solar panels and new planted areas.

Security improvements include new electric gates, CCTV and a new perimeter fence.

Dale added: “The work has created some easy access units and we have sub- divided some of the larger areas to create more efficient space for small businesses.

"All the space has been refurbished to a high standard to help businesses reduce their capital expenditure – we have put in offices and carpets and made it easier for people to move in quickly.

“We can do that because we are a landlord, a developer and a contractor so we have an end-to-end business model and can streamline the process. We rely less on third parties and that’s made a big difference in the current climate.

"We can remove the obstacles ourselves and help business grow and generate new jobs, and the result is that the Base is a constant hive of activity.”

Jillian Blowman launched JB Cheer & Dance Academy in 2018 and rented space in a sixth form college with a five-year plan to find her own premises.

She was able to advance her plans after hearing about Base and will next month celebrate the anniversary of relocation her team of three staff and more than 120 members who include her five-year-old daughter Poppy.

Jillian said: “I was working as a teacher doing PE in primary schools and was made redundant so decided to start my own business going into schools and doing after- school clubs.

“I also launched Cheertots which now has 10 licensees across the country. It’s cheerleading for under-fives and we do it here on a Saturday. I was aware there wasn’t much opportunity to do this in our area and I knew there was a market for it and it was missed in schools.

“It’s more than cheerleading – we do acrobatic arts, stunting and tumble to a high level. We travel to competitions and as a team we have won a number of awards.

"More than 60 of our members will be competing this year and they come from all over the area – Beverley, Elloughton, Brough, Hedon. They’re aged from two to adults in their 40s."