New hub will be centre for business

A one-stop-shop for business growth is opening in Ahuriri. PHOTO / SUPPLIED

In a national first for regional economic growth, a one-stop-shop for business growth is opening in Ahuriri.

The Business Hub, in the former Big Save retail outlet in Ossian St, will house eight business-development agencies from March with Business Hawke's Bay (BHB) the lead agency.

BHB CEO Susan White said it was a "go to" place for people with business challenges or growth ambition.

Work has started on refitting the building which will house Export NZ/Business Central, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE), the Callaghan Innovation, NZTE-funded Regional Business Partners, Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce and The Icehouse.

Napier City Council, Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Hastings District Council will have dedicated workstations in the new Business Hub building at Ahuriri and there will be breakout rooms available for agency meetings with business people.

More organisations may sign up to the initiative, to be operationally managed by an incorporated society with its own governance board comprising hub participants.

"Before The Icehouse set up in Hawke's Bay in 2013, it conducted market research and the response from local business was pretty clear - they wanted help with a wide range of different management issues," Mrs White said.

While solutions to business owners' issues were available, it wasn't clear who provided what service "and how they could engage with them and in what order".

"The Business Hub will bring a host of agencies together to give business easier and smarter use of the resources available to help them grow."

A cafe area is planned as part of its reception area, where people seeking help will be greeted by a concierge rather than a receptionist.

"A concierge comes with some of the things you would see in a five-star hotel - where you are asked, what can I do to help," BHB board member and Future Products Group chief executive Robert Darroch told Hawke's Bay Today from China.

"We see it as shared offices meets the Koru Club lounge."

Comments over cups of tea were just as important as formal strategies.

"It's not just being co-located, it's about the interaction and networking that happens when people work openly together. Having the various agencies together in a purpose-designed space will encourage collaborative problem solving and innovation."

"There has been a lot of iterations on business health in Hawke's Bay over the last few decades and none of them have really hit the nail on the head.

"This time we have got like-minded people together, focussing on getting Hawke's Bay up and running."