Famous worldwide as a spectacular and successful tourist attraction, The Deep is also making its mark internationally as a launch pad for thriving businesses by offering more than just office space.
The Deep Business Centre offers more than just office space for companies in search of a home. Its whole ethos is one of support and encouragement, the small team nurturing businesses in the same way that their colleagues in the aquarium are committed to the careful conservation of ocean life.
Rick Taylor, Director of Professional Services at American-owned Prometheus, said “We expanded from 250 square feet to 500, then 500 with an adjoining office of 250 square feet and now 1,000. The flexibility of The Deep has enabled us to grow at exactly the right time for our business needs.”
Chris McKie, Director of Network Development for Vizion Network Ltd, said: “We expect to need more staff and more space, and we will find what we need here at The Deep, where they have shown that they can change their infrastructure to provide what we need.”
Attractions range from the stunning views of a location on the banks of the Humber and the convenience of a five-minute stroll into the Old Town of Hull to the quality of the accommodation and the fact that you can pop across the car park in your lunch break to see the penguins.
But the biggest benefit is the assurance that business needs will be looked after by the management team led by Freya Cross, Business and Corporate Manager at The Deep.
Debbie Kuhr-Jones, who has established K2 Training Services Ltd as a leader in Microsoft expertise, said: “If you need anything the staff at The Deep always sort it out. They have never failed and I have even provided training for them and for other tenants in the building.”
Such levels of support are based on Freya’s extensive experience of managing office developments, and on her vast network of contacts.
Freya said: “We have more than 40 businesses and between them they employ more than 170 people here. Our support for them is based on our recognition that their needs change all the time and that the most important service we can offer is flexibility.
“Our offices range from 250 square feet to more than 4,000. Most of our tenants want to expand gradually, as in the case of Prometheus. Some just need extra space temporarily, to deliver a one-off project. Others come here because they are downsizing and need less space and more secretarial support.
“External clients, including individuals working from home, come to us for our hotdesking service, our variety of meeting rooms or even our virtual office services, which provide everything a business needs including telephone answering, front desk support and a prestigious mailing address.
“Wipro, formerly SAIC, were our first tenants in 2001 and they’re still here. ABB Consulting have an office here, as do Wood Group PSN. We’ve shown we can look after some big players, and they are the sort of companies that are now showing interest in moving to Hull.”
Mark Ingram, Managing Director of Streetwise Business Accountancy, has grown his business from zero to more than 120 clients, from three staff to 12 and by about 30 per cent per year in terms of turnover since moving to The Deep five years ago.
He said: “I suspect we’ve worked from most of the suites at The Deep during our time here, and that flexibility is one of the big attractions. All the infrastructure is here, which means I’m able to concentrate on running the business.”
The Deep Business Centre, Tower Street, Hull, HU4 1BG.