GROWING businesses will find a welcome and a home in Great Yarmouth with the official opening of Catalyst, a new business acceleration centre providing serviced office accommodation.

GROWING businesses will find a welcome and a home in Great Yarmouth with the official opening of Catalyst, a new business acceleration centre providing serviced office accommodation.

Ian McCreadie, chairman of the enterpriseGY board, spoke at the formal launch event, attended by local councillors, key business figures and invited guests.

The launch tied in with Global Business Incubation Day - an international initiative supported by UK Business Incubation Ltd - designed to promote successful business growth through accelerated support.

Catalyst is the latest innovation from enterpriseGY, designed not only to provide flexible, affordable premises for small businesses but also a range of specialist services to help them realise their goals.

Each tenant will have a dedicated enterpriseGY mentor/business adviser to help with things like business plans, performance monitoring and motivation. Indeed, as tenant selection will be based on growth plans, a high degree of importance will be placed on helping businesses achieve their targets within agreed periods of between one and three years.

Regular adviser reviews, feedback and positive interventions will incentivise businesses to stay on track and, once a business has reached its goals, it will graduate from the Catalyst facility, making room for a new venture.

“It's a really innovative way of supporting local business growth,” explained enterpriseGY programme manager Richard Percy.

“Everyone recognises that most businesses need office space but they also often need guidance, support and other practical help as well. By combining these things, we're offering something that's far beyond the traditional serviced accommo-dation proposition. Tenants will benefit from dedicated, specialist support to accelerate success and help them achieve their business goals.”

The Catalyst is next door to enterpriseGY's Novus Centre on The Conge and comprises 13 individual offices, from 15sq m to 30sq m, accommodating between one and four people per unit. They are specifically aimed at businesses looking to grow - whether new start-ups or established businesses - with attractive, flexible terms.

Lease costs are all-inclusive, covering things like IT, telephony, reception services, heating and light. There is a shared meeting/lunch room and tenants can also access the Novus Centre facilities if larger rooms are needed for meetings or training.

Prospective tenants can find out more by visiting www.catalyst-gy.co.uk, calling 0800 458 0146 or by visiting Catalyst, The Conge, NR30 1NA.