BLACKBURN with Darwen Borough Council, in partnership with Lancashire recruitment agency Cummins Mellor, has opened a brand-new business hub in the town centre.

Planners hope that the hub, CQ Works based within the town’s One Cathedral Square building, will help to spearhead economic growth in the region by providing services to businesses of varying sizes, along with freelancers, entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Services provided will include affordable office space at £100 a week with security, cleaning and maintenance provided, as well as secretarial support, leadership mentoring, HR advice and many other professional services.

Executive member for growth and development Councillor Phil Riley, said: “This is a very good opportunity for small businesses and anyone starting up at the moment.

“The business world is working a bit differently at the moment as we work through the coronavirus crisis, so we want to help people to get them, and the borough, through this in a new and dynamic way.”

Councillors and business leaders hope that CQ Works will be key the helping firms navigate the post-pandemic landscape and providing them with the foundation they need to have to confidence to grow.

Cummins Mellor chairman Richard Mellor said: “In a post-Covid world, many businesses are considering distributing their workforce to stop any serious disruptions with the new NHS track and trace system.

“Finding a new office space is also a serious consideration for businesses who are adopting flexible, remote working and need fewer desks as a result.

“Along with the council, we created CQ Works as an ideal solution for both these challenges, as well giving new businesses the opportunity to work in a prestigious environment which was not an affordable option before. This will help bring prosperity to the town after what has been a difficult time for us all.”

For more information, visit: https://www.cumminsmellor.co.uk/office-space-blackburn/.