Cheshire entrepreneur eyes Boardroom success in Wilmslow
Cheshire entrepreneur eyes Boardroom success in Wilmslow
A CHESHIRE entrepreneur is launching a new informal boardroom and meeting destination for businesses across the region.
Colin McKevitt, 36, is opening ‘theBoardroom’ in Wilmslow for companies who are struggling to find an attractive meeting space that caters for all their business and social needs.
theBoardroom is a two floor venue, with a bar downstairs with food service and comfortable executive seating for up to 60 people. The bar has full office facilities for business meetings, such as free high quality Wi-Fi and printing and faxing services. On the top floor is large space for presentations, pitches, or conferences for up to 40 delegates, with full AV, wireless, phone and television facilities. The Boardroom is licensed on both floors.
Colin, who lives in Wilmslow and is a former corporate hospitality manager at Sale Sharks Rugby Club, said the venue will be a unique meeting space for businesses and clients.
“Having worked in hospitality and attended meetings at a variety of venues such as coffee shops and bars, I realised that there just wasn’t a place that could meet all my business needs,” he said. “For example the internet in many Wi-Fi areas was unreliable and would cut out, and if I needed a printer or fax machine there was never one available. theBoardroom will meet all these needs and make it much faster and easier to conduct professional meetings in an informal and friendly environment.
“We will cater for every type of meeting, whether it is an early morning coffee or late night social networking event, with a variety of menus on offer. The location is also excellent, with close transport links to Chester, Manchester Airport and city centre, and for people coming up from London there is a direct train and we are just a few minutes from the station.”
When looking for advice on launching his business, Colin was put in touch with business support agency Blue Orchid – the contracted start up business advisers for the area – which has provided vital information on issues such as employment law and health and safety.
Colin said: “I was put in touch with Blue Orchid through Business Link, when I was looking for support in key areas to get my business off the ground. I met business advisor Kerry Hall and she has been extremely helpful in directing me the right way in terms of issues like funding, health and safety, employment law and staff training. We also looked at my business plan together before I took it to the bank to apply for funding. As a start up it is vital to have such support and I trust Kerry and Blue Orchid to give me the best advice on how to make my business a success.”
Kerry said: “Blue Orchid is able to offer a wide range of advice to start ups and for Colin this was aimed more towards the planning and financial aspects of the business. We will continue to support him throughout the start up process and are sure that theBoardroom will be a real asset to the Wilmslow area and beyond.”
Colin’s support was delivered though the ISUS programme, in which Blue Orchid is the contracted provider for Cheshire East. It is provided by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). ISUS is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow. The programme is funded by the NWDA, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cheshire East.
An opening event with food and refreshments takes place this Friday at 6.30pm, coinciding with the Wilmslow Christmas Lights switch on.
Colin added: “We would be delighted to welcome businesses from across the Cheshire and North West region to come along to our opening on Friday and view the facilities for themselves. They can talk to us about what we can offer and the event will also be a great chance for companies to network.”
Investment and support from Colin’s bank RBS was also key in launching The Boardroom, and RBS Wilmslow branch manager Joe Riley said: “We are pleased to be able to support Colin in setting up this new business venture and have a lot of confidence in the business plan and concept. We look forward to working together to ensure that theBoardroom has the best start possible and can continue to grow into a big success.”
For more information or to book a place for your business at the opening event, call 07543 966023 or email info@theboardroomwilmslow.com Visit www.theboardroomwilmslow.com
