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Sanctuary opens new local business units
 

Sanctuary Housing Association has officially opened sixteen newly-developed start-up business units at Link Walk, Eastfield, Scarborough, as Phase Two of the Link Walk Project.

The new offices which were formerly six unused and run-down residential flats were opened on Wednesday 20th September by Bill Chatt, Deputy Mayor of Scarborough Borough Council, David Jackson, Chairman of Sanctuary Housing North, and Robert Goodwill, MP for Scarborough and Whitby. Over 30 guests were treated to a tour of the refurbished buildings and a buffet lunch.

Paul Tyndall, Project Manager, said: “We have created 16 units in total of varying sizes and I am pleased to say that four of these units were let prior to the opening event so the future is looking promising. This kind of development at Link Walk is encouraging local people to 'talk up’ their environment and community, which is great.

“Many local residents approach me on a daily basis to thank me for what Sanctuary is doing. That gives all of our staff and residents hope for the future. You realise that the work you are doing actually touches peoples' lives."

The Link Walk Project came about when Eastfield Neighbourhood Partnership approached Sanctuary Housing to ask if the properties could have a purpose other than residential use. Sanctuary Housing worked closely with the local authorities and in 2004, the £350,000 first phase of the Link Walk Project was completed when a 30-place children’s nursery opened along with the Eastfield Link Training and Enterprise Centre.

Financial support for the project has come from Sanctuary Housing and the Economic Development Unit of North Yorkshire County Council, which runs a fund called the Property Grant Scheme. The property grant scheme money comes from the European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward.

Sanctuary opens sixteen newly-developed start-up units supporting the local area and community

Phase Two of the scheme, costing £250,000, began in March this year. Sanctuary hopes that the units will help new businesses develop and create new jobs in the area while providing high quality accommodation on flexible terms at affordable prices.

Mr Goodwill said: “Until now Eastfield didn’t have this type of starter units and Link Walk will be very useful for people who are starting a business in the community, so this is an excellent facility.

“Obviously any investment into Eastfield in going to help out with regenerating the area and we do need to turn around some of the negative perceptions people have of the area. There are still problems but this is a definite step in the right direction.”

He added: “It is also important from an environmental perspective that people can cycle or walk to work and don’t have to travel into Scarborough. People will now have the opportunity to work locally.”

Alan Storry, owner of maintenance business ‘ourhandyman’, was born in Eastfield and is one of the first people to move into the units. He said: “It’s a fresh start for me and my business. Being in Link Walk means I can expand and gives a lot of prestige to the company.”

The day was also an opportunity to remember one of Scarborough’s well-loved characters, Avril Gillies, who lost her battle with cancer on Boxing Day last year. Avril, 56, grew up in Eastfield and was well-known for her work with residents and the community. Her parents Gordon and Doreen unveiled a memorial plaque at the centre.

A former Sanctuary resident, Avril was fully supportive of Sanctuary’s work on the Link Walk Project and was a member of Sanctuary Housing North Residents’ Committee. She was also the Scarborough Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator and a member of the Conservative Club.

For further information, please visit website: http://www.eastfieldlinkcentre.co.uk
 
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Sanctuary Housing Association is a registered social landlord (Housing Corporation No. L0247), and is an exempt charity under the Charities Act 1993 (Industrial & Provident Society No. 19059R).