Three businesses that have made the finals of the Newsquest Business Awards share one common denominator – they have all been clients of the Colchester Business Enterprise Agency (Colbea) or tenants at the Business Centre from which the Agency operates.
Abigail’s Collection, headed by Abigail Neill, has already clocked up several awards in its short history. Abigail sought the advice of one of the professional business advisers from Colbea in the early stages of Abigail’s Collection. Her business, which adopts a unique approach to buying bridal wear, has gone from strength to strength and now has premises in Colchester’s High Street.
Both Julie Payne, founder and MD of Apex International Recruitment, and Steve Sleight from Mailboxes etc (MBE) have been tenants and/or clients of the Business Centre in Colchester. Steve Sleigh has been named as the 2007 MBE franchisee of the year. The Colchester Business Centre provides a true incubation facility for young and growing businesses, where there are 34 units with ‘easy in easy out’ terms and reasonable rates that help business owners get their venture off to a flying start. On hand is the business advice provided by Colbea and on the doorstep is the opportunity to network with other similar small businesses.
