The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has expanded its presence in the Herefordshire area after it moved into a new office based in Hereford’s newly-renovated Shell Store.
The Shell Store has a rich history, having been built in the First World War and used as an ordnance site during the Second World War. The project has developed commercial space within the existing building footprint (it is not a listed building), retaining much of the original factory including its steel roof structure.
The £7.3m refurbishment of the building has established more than 2,100 sq metres of employment space, with room for new and growing businesses to set up and expand alongside facilities for development and innovation.
The move will allow the Chamber to be at the heart of the county’s business community and be more accessible to companies based in the Herefordshire area. Members and Non-members alike in Herefordshire will now have a direct link to the Chamber which will make the support and services they provide even easier to access.
As businesses look to bounce back from a difficult period it has never been more important for them to access the support they need. The Shell Store will be a business support hub, with organisations such as the Chamber, Growth Hub and more. Businesses in Herefordshire will now be able to access the support and guidance they may need in one place.
Sharon Smith, Chief Executive of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Establishing more of a presence within the Herefordshire area has always been a priority for us. The Shell Store provides a perfect opportunity for the Chamber to be located at the heart of business activity within the area. The newly refurbished area has already attracted a number of business support organisations so it is fantastic that companies local to Herefordshire will have access to the support they may need.
“As local businesses continue to recover, it has never been more important for organisations like ourselves to be accessible to companies, the hub of business support at the Shell Store will provide just that and I am excited to grow our Herefordshire presence physically.”
Councillor Ellie Chowns, Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for Environment, Economy and Skills, said the Chamber’s move to Hereford’s first dedicated business incubation centre would be hugely beneficial for Shell Store tenants and the wider business community at Rotherwas.
“Our Shell Store facility, just like Skylon Park, is an amazing base for new and growing businesses and we expect both to play a significant role in how the local economy recovers post-pandemic.
“Having both the expertise and networking opportunities provided by the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Marches Growth Hub Herefordshire business support service based here, we can offer an unrivalled location in the county for enterprises to thrive.”
If you are a Herefordshire business and would like to see how the Chamber can help support you, please call the Hereford office on 01432 803 236.