LOCA L B USI NESS
Business is flourishing for tenants on former prison site Nick Rennie meets James Frieland, the man who has spearheaded the transformation of the former Ashwell Prison into the thriving Oakham Enterprise Park, and some of his business tenants. PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN
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T was once a prison and the scene of a notorious incident when hundreds of inmates rioted and burned down cellblocks. Seven years later, the high security fences topped with barbed wire remain but the site, on Ashwell Road on the outskirts of Oakham, is now home to 114 businesses. James Frieland remembers the day he first arrived at the former Ashwell Prison tasked with converting it into a site where Rutland’s small businesses could flourish. It was October 2013 and he was faced with a bleak and desolate scene where riots and fires had led to the jail being closed down three years before. “When I first arrived on the site there were five-foot weeds and razor wire all over the fences,” said James, who is asset investment manager for Rutland County Council and the man in charge at the enterprise park. “I’m a fairly optimistic person but there were times at the start when I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew.” He quickly decided that it was worth keeping some of the fencing because it would add an extra layer of security for tenants as well as lending a touch of character to the site. The Army were invited in to take down the barbed wire at the top of the fencing, which
Aluminium Eco Solutions sales director Mike Willars they treated as a training exercise. Four old, dilapidated cell blocks were demolished and other buildings converted into units and offices suitable for business use. Some of the old prison furniture was put in storage and eventually loaned out to tenants as companies began slowly to move onto the site two years ago. “We have just reached 100 per cent capacity, which is fantastic,” said James, who is assisted by site officer Steve Musson. “We’re still getting a lot of enquiries and we have a waiting list for units.” The park is home to an incredible breadth of different types of businesses. There is a classic car dealer, a wine importer, a dating agency and a range of manufacturing and engineering firms there. Other professions based there include
Rutland County Council asset investment manager James Frieland (left) and site officer Steve Musson
photography, graphic design, millinery, catering, accountancy and automotive repair. James said: “Of the 114 tenants here, 35 per cent are new start-ups and 24 per cent were existing Rutland businesses, some of whom were working from home initially but needed larger premises.” Businesses pay a market value rent and business rates according to the size of their unit.
“Rutland has one of the highest number of entrepreneurs in the country” Leases are flexible with a standard five-year term but built-in month break clauses for start-ups. Business advice is available on site for those who are setting up a new enterprise and others who need guidance. “Rutland has one of the highest number of entrepreneurs in the country and we are finding that lots of people want to start their own business,” said James.
Owner of Rutland Cake Company Naomi Morgan outside the new site café RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2015
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