Two electrical companies based in a former Victorian textile mill in Leek have become the first businesses in Staffordshire to receive funding from the area’s newly launched Redundant Building Grant (RBG) scheme.
Thanks to a £33,000 windfall from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands businessman Ian Smith can press on with plans to expand Protech Electrical Ltd, which provides electrical engineering and contracting services, and Protech Domestic Appliances Ltd, which sells electrical white goods including gas and electric cookers.
Both firms, run by Mr Smith (45) and wife Joanne (41), are based at three-storey Haywood Mill, in Haywood Street.
Advantage West Midlands Partnerships Manager Paul Chatwin said: “The RBG scheme is part of a comprehensive programme of rural regeneration funded by Advantage West Midlands. It is part of a range of activities being undertaken to help meet one of the Agency’s key objectives – namely, to develop a strong, diverse and sustainable rural economy.
“Grants are provided for the conversion or refurbishment of redundant buildings to bring them back into productive business use or to enhance their current business use. By addressing the demand for high quality workspace, new and existing businesses can create or safeguard jobs in areas most in need in our rural communities.”
The funding has contributed towards the expansion and refurbishment of the retail area on the ground floor and development of light assembly workshops on the second floor of the property, built in 1876. The improvements will allow both businesses to develop, and create a total of seven new jobs. Presently only around 60 per cent of the building is used.
James Hinton, Programme Manager for the RBG scheme in Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Solihull, said: “This is just the type of project which the RBG scheme is keen to support. Protech had seriously considered moving away from Leek town centre to find suitable premises, but with the help of this grant, they’ve been able to extend their workspace, bringing more of the old mill building back into productive use. There’s now scope for the company to expand, and it keeps the company in Leek.
“The RBG scheme is open to applications from around Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Solihull – apart from the larger towns – and applying for a grant is a quick process, as Protech’s project shows. Local projects can make a real difference to regenerating the economies of rural areas, and I’m looking forward to helping applicants to the RBG scheme to have a lasting impact.”
Mr Smith said: “Our expansion would not have been possible without funding from the RBG scheme, which is a superb idea for businesses like this – a genuine cause, serving mainly the local community. The improvements within the building will allow both businesses to expand and take on additional work, increasing the capacity of the businesses and allowing them to operate more efficiently and effectively.
“Prior to securing the funding we were considering moving out of the town centre to more suitable purpose-built accommodation but the grant has allowed us to remain in Leek. The expansion of the workshop areas will allow us to take on additional large public sector contracts. We are committed to remaining in Leek and creating jobs and training opportunities, including electrical apprenticeships, for local people.”
The £1.3 million RBG scheme was launched for the Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Solihull areas towards the end of last year. It will run until March 2010 and offer up to 25 per cent of building costs, to a maximum of £62,500, on eligible projects. It is an extension of a similar scheme which has operated successfully for the last three years in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.
Protech Domestic Appliances sells a range of electrical goods including gas and electric cookers, washing machines, tumble dryers and refrigeration and offers free local delivery. There is a customer car park at the rear of the premises.
Protech Electrical has built a client base across the public and private sectors carrying out electrical installation work including maintenance and testing. Their client base includes hospitals, schools, housing associations, local and county councils and assorted industrial and commercial businesses including the quarrying industry.
Protech Electrical also carries out installation work for a number of high profile clients which includes a premiership and England football player.
Nine people are presently employed at the businesses, but as a result of the RBG funding, the total workforce is expected to increase to 13 full-time and one part-time staff by 2012.
Protech Electrical are members of the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) and National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC). Mr Smith set up the business at the age of 27 in 1990. Protech Domestic Appliances was set up five years later.
Protech Electrical was previously based at Big Mill in Leek, and Protech Domestic Appliances at Smithfield Shopping Centre, before both businesses were brought under the same roof at Haywood Mill in the mid-90s.
For further information about the Redundant Building Grant scheme in Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Solihull contact James Hinton or Sarah Simpson (RBG Support Officer) on 01785 277706 or email rbgscheme@staffordshire.gov.uk
Both Protech Electrical and Protech Domestic Appliances can be contacted on 01538 388138 or email protechelecltd@btopenworld.com.