Cheshire's Ellesmere Port welcomes business incubator 'Seed'

Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Brian Jones, has officially welcomed business incubator ‘Seed’ to the town’s Whitby Road.

Seed is complementary to other social enterprises on Whitby Road and will look to build partnerships with them to support local residents.

Seed is the latest social enterprise to establish itself on Whitby Road after Number 23 - a commercial property that had stood empty for five years - was bought by Rob Stewart of Phoenix Lettings last year.

Rob has worked in partnership with the Council to refurbish the building creating three new shops and seven affordable flats above.

The works were delivered by local Community Interest Company Access2Training&Employment to a high standard.

Cheshire West and Chester Council launched a project in 2012 looking to target long-term vacant shops in the old high street of Whitby Road.

The grant scheme aims to bring properties back into use, improve the appearance of the street, help increase footfall for the other shops, and support the regeneration of the wider area.

Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Brian Jones, said: “Whitby Road had a considerable number of properties that had remained empty for a long time - something I know local residents said they would like to see change and I am delighted that we are now seeing a real difference to the area.”

Managing director of Seed, Steve Horbaczweski, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be joining what we have renamed ‘Wellbeing High Street’ – working with all of our partners to support the partnership working of the social enterprises in the road, and the ongoing regeneration, capturing momentum.

“We will be linking with the FabLab, Paperboat Gallery, Endeavour, Access2Training&Employment and others on the high street, as well as working with large organisations like Plus Dane Group.”

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