A state-of-the-art centre of excellence has recently opened in West Wales providing small businesses with comprehensive and flexible pay as you use services. Landsker Business Centre, located at Whitland, is the brainchild of Jeremy Bowen-Rees who hails from Tenby and has a background in management consultancy having assisted new and existing businesses in West Wales for the past five years. The centre is located off the B4328 between Whitland and Tavernspite and the old farm buildings have been tastefully renovated to create an impressive first impression and striking modern interior. The recent opening unveiled the results of extensive refurbishment and development to a high IT specification, which has been undertaken, with the support of NatWest Business Banking. There are many features that set the centre apart from what is currently available locally and therefore, offers a wide appeal to businesses in West Wales. Services range from: Hiring a private workstation equipped with the latest technology and 2MB Broadband for as long or as little as they want. This service is linked to networked printing facilities with secure back-up facilities. Satellite office services where firms may want to establish a presence on the Carmarthenshire/ Pembrokeshire border without incurring the full costs of having a stand-alone office. Hot desking - where customers can nip in and out as they wish. Private meeting facilities up to a maximum of 15 -20 with provision for catering to a high standard. A wide variety of administration and business services, like designing customer data bases, providing quotes/invoicing services, business planning and how they may finance a business venture and acquire external funding be it from a bank or local grant provider. Internet access, like a cyber café. Value added service include, onsite access to the latest business information and the opportunity to network with other businesses. As a management consultant, Jeremy Bowen–Rees, has been advising small and medium enterprises in West Wales for the past five years and is well aware of the issues facing the sector. One of the many concerns he has come across over this time is the lack of quality office accommodation available locally at reasonable cost. When property is available small businesses have to pay large deposits up front and commit to a lease for minimum periods like six months or longer. Landsker Business Centre addresses this issue by offering a flexible 'pay as you use' service. Jeremy Bowen–Rees, commented: "I would like businesses to regard Landsker Business Centre much like they would use a hotel where you pay for the length of your stay and the facilities used. Our operating slogan is your business is our business and this sentiment is really meant." Lynette Thomas, senior business manager at NatWest's Pembrokeshire Business Centre, said: "Small and medium enterprises are vital to the Welsh economy and the centre will offer superb facilities for businesses in the area and will also create much needed jobs in the locality. I'm delighted NatWest was able to support the initiative and wish Landsker Business Centre every success." Solid support and guidance from dedicated relationship managers is key and, to prosper, it is essential that new firms take advantage of all the help they can get. For the ninth year running, business support groups have voted NatWest the number one bank for helping businesses start up as well as the best bank for understanding the needs of new businesses. Jeremy and his staff can be contacted on 01994 240631, and for more information, visit http://www.landskerbusinesscentre.co.uk">www.landskerbusinesscentre.co.uk
