Willenhall business centre receives £5,000 grant to expand coworking space
The funding from Walsall Business Support will pay for additional desks, privacy screens, chairs and power points, along with electrical work, to meet growing demand from local freelancers and businesses
A Willenhall business centre has received a £5,000 grant to increase its coworking space.
West Midlands House, based in a converted lock factory, has operated as a flexible workspace since 1993, providing offices, meeting rooms and coworking facilities.
The funding from Walsall Business Support will pay for additional desks, privacy screens, chairs and power points, along with electrical work.
The coworking suite opened last year, but business centre manager Jeni Sellick said demand had exceeded the space available.
She said: “Since we launched our first coworking desks over a year ago, demand has consistently outstripped the space available.
“More coworking desks means that more local freelancers, sole traders and early-stage businesses can access affordable workspace.”
The coworking space is also available to local charities, offering Walsall's voluntary sector free or low-cost access to facilities they might otherwise struggle to afford.
Walsall Business Support was formed by local business figures to distribute funds from the legacy of Walsall Chamber of Commerce. It provides grants for projects aimed at supporting business activity in the borough.
Board member Rob Colbourne OBE said the 130-year-old building had a long history of supporting people from Walsall and the wider Black Country.
Walsall Business Support also offers grants and free training needs assessments to businesses looking to grow, create jobs or develop skills.