In the latest instalment of the CB1 interviews, we spoke with Mell who is the Centre Manager at the CB1 Business Centre located at 20 Station Road. The centre is part of Mantle Business Centres which has 5 centres with a 6th opening soon. In this interview, we chat to Mell about the Business Centre and about CB1.
What are the services you offer at the CB1 Business Centre?
Here at CB1 Business Centre, we provide flexible workspaces with contemporary interiors and all the equipment and resources that companies need to succeed. We offer serviced offices, co-working, virtual office and meeting space. Our on-site staff provide secretarial and professional support, including professional virtual services taking care of calls and mail whilst our customers take care of their business.
CB1’s retro building and high spec offices create a stunning working environment. CB1 Business Centre offers superb office space on an all-inclusive basis, all of the offices are fitted out to the highest standard and fully furnished with stylish modern furniture. The latest VOIP telephones and high-speed broadband are included within the monthly Licence Fee, and all offices are air conditioned, with plenty of natural daylight from the large windows.
If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a tour, please contact cb1@mantlebusinesscentres.co.uk
How many businesses do you have at CB1 Business Centre? What kind of businesses (eg, large or small)?
Our customer base is wide ranging, from sole traders, start-ups and SMEs, to international corporate companies, from a variety of different sectors. We want to help nurture these businesses and be part of their growth plans by accommodating their office needs. We have 60 offices within our building with over 250 tenants, our offices range from 1 workstation offices to 30 workstation offices.
What changes have you seen taking place since you first started operating here in CB1?
The CB1 Estate is booming and developing fast, it is now becoming the business hub of Cambridge. We are seeing more larger corporate companies moving to the area and demand on our offices and business centre services has grown which is a great place to be.
What do you most like about CB1?
CB1 is a wonderful growing community. I love that with the help of the estate management, and Sam the community engagement co-ordinator, local business owners and residents are working together to build a lovely, safe environment on the estate.
We are seeing much more social activity among the community with many of our tenants participating in events – Strawberries & Screen during Wimbledon, Bake Off challenges, fitness activities, Food Parks, networking events and more.
Does your business feel part of the community?
We definitely do feel a part of the CB1 community. I attend the bi-monthly Steering Group Community meetings, so we are aware of what is happening on the estate and share information on events and initiatives. It is also great to network with all other businesses, services and residents on the estate.
You run several initiatives here including Fit Fridays, Go Meet networking sessions and the Business & Lifestyle Perks programme. Can anyone get involved with these?
We do run a few initiatives here at CB1 and anyone on the estate can get involved, if these initiatives are of interest.
Fit Fridays
Fit Fridays is a Running and Walking group that meets every Friday lunchtime at 12:00noon in our CB1 Business Centre reception. It is always on every Friday, rain, hail or shine.
It is a lovely 5km route, which keeps us away from main roads as much as possible and has some nice scenic walkway that you can run or walk and go at your own pace – so all fitness levels are welcome.
If you would like to join the mailing list for our Fit Fridays, please email reception@cb1businesscentre.co.uk
GoMeet
We host networking events here at CB1 Business Centre bi-monthly that provide an excellent opportunity for personal growth and business development, as well as the opportunity to make valuable connections. Tickets are £15 per person or free to Mantle tenants.
If you would like to join the mailing list to be informed of our events, please email marketing@mantle.co.uk. Each of our networking events has an informative guest speaker and different topic.
Business & Lifestyle Perks
We started this programme to help build the local community and support and benefit local businesses in the area, to bring them more business and also for us to provide another service to our tenants.
To join the programme is free of charge, all we would require is an ‘ongoing’ deal on your products or services to our Mantle tenants. The deal or discount can be anything you would like to offer, however it must be an ‘ongoing’ deal to be on the programme. The Business & Lifestyle Perks is distributed to our tenants once a month (usually around the 1st working day of every month) via email and each advertisement is run on a 3 month rotational cycle. (eg: New This Month, Existing Offers, then Last Chance)
Please Note: We do not accept one-off offers (eg: free consultation or introductory discounts). All deals must be ‘ongoing’ deals, we find the one-off offers have not worked in the past and we are sourcing more ongoing exclusive discounts and incentives.
If you would like to participate, or know any businesses who would like too, please email me at mell@mantlebusinesscentres.co.uk. All we would require is a short piece of text about your company, your deal, and your company logo.
What are your hopes for the future of the Business Centre and the CB1 Estate?
CB1 Business Centre is already a thriving hub of business activity, home to many companies who rely on our professional support. We want to continue to provide that support and build on the relationships with our clients.
We hope that with the growth of the Estate there will be more opportunities for us to provide professional support to more businesses and to accommodate their office needs.
Many thanks to Mell for giving up some time to speak to us.
If you’d like to read previous interviews:
James – https://cb1community.org.uk/2017/11/12/estate-warden-interview/
Sam – https://cb1community.org.uk/2018/08/30/cb1-interviews/
Ling Ling – https://cb1community.org.uk/2018/12/19/cb1-interviews-3/
Tony – https://cb1community.org.uk/2019/01/15/cb1-interviews-4-2/
Sarah – https://cb1community.org.uk/2019/08/05/cb1-interviews-5/
