Ms Patricia Frayne, a chartered accountant with vast experience working alongside SMEs and owner-managed businesses, is Centre Co-Cordinator at the Enterprise Centre.
Ms Frayne was speaking earlier this week at the most recent monthly meeting of Laois County Council, where she outlined the centre’s considerable expansion and what they now offer to the community.
Established in 2007, the Portlaoise Enterprise Centre supports start-up and growing businesses in Laois and operates with a community-focus in the not-for-profit sector.
The board of directors is made up of three elected members; the Head of Enterprise from Laois County Council; a further staff-member from the council; as well as volunteers from various business backgrounds in the community.
The building is a 21,220 square feet facility, located beside Roll n’ Bowl in the Clonminam Business Park.
The centre offers five designated desks, 16 office spaces, five light industrial units, and three meeting/training rooms.
Ms Frayne said the designated desks are ideal for people who have started a business from home and are looking to make the next step.
While these desks are in a shared office, there are two privacy pods which allow for phone calls, zoom meetings, or audio recording, such as podcasts.
The small office spaces are suitable for two to four people, and current clients include accountants, quality surveyors, and, of course, ourselves in LaoisToday.
Found on the ground floor, the industrial units include a windscreen repair company, renewable energy system installers, and a wedding venue décor team.
The meeting/training rooms have capacity for six to 16 people, with high-speed broadband, touch-screens, and catering on request.
The Cllrs in attendance were very complimentary of the Enterprise Centre and said it has been a huge positive to business and community in Laois.
For more information, visit www.enterprisecentre.ie, email patriciafrayne@enterprisecentre.ie, admin@enterprisecentre.ie, or call 057-8688714 / 087-1435700.
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