Small Business Centre proposal Are Hebden’s creative businesses going to beat the ‘crunch’? Online survey to contribute your views on proposals Wednesday, 19 November 2008 Hebden Bridge’s growing number of creative and digital businesses are to be given the chance to say what they need to help them beat the global economic downturn. The community-led team which is negotiating to bring new life to Hebden Bridge’s beautiful but neglected Town Hall is exploring the possibility of establishing a new small business centre next to the current building. This facility, provisionally named Hebden Bridge Creative Quarter, would provide office accommodation and business services tailored at the needs of new and growing small businesses based in the Upper Valley. The proposal forms part of an ambitious plan which would safeguard the town’s Town Hall for the twenty-first century, focusing primarily on community and civic usage of this landmark building. The project team is in advanced negotiations with Calderdale MBC to transfer the Town Hall into community ownership and this week announced that it hopes to have definite news about the future of the building by the end of this year. Andrew Bibby, joint project coordinator has told the Hebden Bridge Web: “We are very excited by this opportunity to revitalise one of the best buildings in Hebden Bridge and to increase everyone’s access to improved facilities in the town. “One important part of the overall project is the possibility of creating office, meeting and seminar space for small businesses in the town, looking particularly at the creative and digital sectors. We are launching a study to find out what types of workspace will be needed by small businesses in the area over the next few years.” The project team launched its on-line survey ‘The Hebden Bridge Workspace Study’ this week and Andrew Bibby invites any small business with an interest in office space and facilities to get involved and contribute their views. The survey can be accessed directly by following this link: Hebden Bridge Workspace Study or alternatively, it can be found on the Association’s new website Equally, anyone wishing to contribute their views can do so directly by contacting Marc Collett on 07830 245 292 or marc@burnscollett.com. But businesses are asked not to delay. “We want to know if Hebden Bridge's creative businesses are fighting back against the global downturn in time for Christmas!” Andrew Bibby says. Online survey - Hebden Bridge Workspace Study
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