Phoenix Centre set to rise again to soar away success
Under the quiet but efficient leadership of operations manager, Joanne Crowe, the Phoenix Centre goes from strength to strength.
Six or seven years ago few people would have thought that the former flour mill and derelict Co-op store, set around Market Square, would have taken flight so strongly.
"All our units are full and we have a waiting list for the workshops in phase one of Phoenix Court." said Joanne.
| She pointed out that so successful had been the recent take up of offices and workshops that the local fish and chip shop had had to expand its daytime opening hours to cater for workers wanting a more traditional lunchtime meal. One reason for the success is clear, she explained. The workshops and offices offer an "easy in-easy-out" lease deal, starting from as little as £25 a week. It means fledgling businesses can take those first steps to their own enterprise without being shackled to a long-term lease. |  |
Other plus points include the ability to pay for customer-friendly office services rather than invest in your own front of house office structure.
And it seems that users just can't get enough.
"GEN II came to us, initially as a temporary move, but the students and staff like it here so much that they vigorously resisted moves to relocate," Joanne said.
So now Gen II, the key local training organisation, is waiting to move into the landmark flour mill tower as work speeds ahead on a £3/4 million refurbishment of all three floors.
The refurbished second phase is due to re-open this October.
Overall the Phoenix sites have 30 resident businesses, which even include the local offices for Copeland's MP Jamie Reed and the bustling publishing team behind your very own Whitehaven Guide.
When GEN II move in the site will become part of a mini campus for the training body.
Phoenix House (the former Co-operative building) opened in 2006 with good quality office accommodation over three floors and is full of users.
Recent new tenants include the Closer to Home service and a new and very popular adult education centre on the ground floor.
The Phoenix has also spread its successful management approach to running the community development unit at Newlands Avenue, Mirehouse, Whitehaven, which is home to the social enterprise, Eco Blitz, employing over 10 people.
At Cleator Moor the Phoenix team, genuinely seems to live up to its motto of "Every Client Counts".
Typical of the many people helped to achieve lift-off in life has been Melanie Kaye, from Mirehouse, Whitehaven. Melanie found herself unemployed after caring for her ill father. Unsure of how to get back into the labour market she sought help from Phoenix Community Development Unit in Mirehouse.
Grace Starkey, lead advice and guidance worker, said: "Fortunately we had just received funding from Copeland Borough Council, via Sellafield Sites Ltd, to enable us to support and guide residents of South Whitehaven into training and/or jobs. Melanie was one of our first clients on the project" Melanie received advice on training opportunities and went on to complete a one-day Level 2 Food Safety in Catering Course and has now secured a job as a fully qualified care assistant.
Melanie said: "I can't thank the staff at Phoenix Community Development Unit enough. They were so helpful and patient. They were really able to help me get back to work".
Joanne Crowe added; "I'm absolutely delighted that Melanie has secured a job that she loves. Working in partnership with Sellafield Sites and Copeland Borough Council has allowed this to happen".
 | An innovation at Phoenix this year has been the start of university bursaries to give a lucky local student a helping hand with the soaring costs of going to university. Sarah Kay, a sixth form business student at West Lakes Academy, Egremont, received a special prize at their annual Reward Ceremony. Nominated by her teachers, she was the first recipient of the Phoenix Enterprise Centre University Bursary. The Bursary (£500) was presented to Sarah by Bob Metcalfe, chairman of the Phoenix Enterprise Centre. |
