The Alchemy Centre

Are you planning to set up your own business and are looking for high quality accommodation and access to business support services?


The Alchemy Centre, located at Great Yarmouth College provides budding entrepreneurs from Great Yarmouth and its surrounding area with purpose built, high quality workspace, along with access to the business support services they require to grow into sustainable and successful businesses.


A unique concept, the Alchemy Centre originated from a collaboration between Great Yarmouth College, the East of England Development Agency and Norfolk County Council who came together to secure funding to develop the centre.   Not only does the Alchemy Centre provide businesses with high quality accommodation, free of charge for the first year, it also provides a credible business address from which to operate. As well as the physical accommodation, it is also important that fledgling businesses are able to access business support and guidance services during that crucial first year of operation, from college staff and partner enterprise agencies.


Alchemy 1
The first phase of development, Alchemy 1 has focused on creative industries. The first ‘Alchemists’ to have ‘graduated’ from the centre have now set up in their own premises and in one instance employing three people. A number of Alchemists are in the process of actively seeking to expand beyond the centre and it is expected that through natural development they will move out of the centre to continue their now flourishing businesses thus providing new Alchemists with opportunities within the centre.

Currently, 10 Alchemist businesses are in residence undertaking entrepreneurial activities ranging from web design, marketing services and media services, graphic design, music technology and financial services. In addition an enterprise club for local schools is a flourishing activity which will undoubtedly support the local economy in with their future endeavours.


Flaunt Designs:
Ricky Chaney/Andrew Kelf, flauntdesigns@aol.com 07530 435812

The Exchange: 
Angela Curtis, angela.curtis@norfolk-exchange.org.uk 01493 800646/7
WebFlare Solutions:  Daniel Bird, dan@webflare.co.uk 07979 783292   Managed Perceptions Ltd: Steve Tubby, steve@managedperceptions.co.uk 07789 221724   Glenmoor Partnerships: Andrew Mannall, glenmoor.wills@googlemail.com 07766 395433   Juiced Media: Joseph Scott, joe@juiced-media.co.uk 07921 251323   Immense Events: Hayley Cann/Karma McClean, immenseevents@hotmail.co.uk 07595 496722
Paramedics4events:  Robert Griffiths, dr-bob@live.co.uk 07900 213115   Lan Synergy Ltd: Nathan Slater/David Pattison, nathan.slater@lansynergy.co.uk 07855 787824   Punched Drunk Media: Aaron Mutch/John Chaplin-Madden, punchdrunkmedia@googlemail.com 07769 158355


Alchemy 2
The second phase of development, Alchemy 2, officially opened by the Prime Minister the Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP, focuses on start-up businesses in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The centre offers flexible business spaces together with support for the individual, IT and design facilities, meeting spaces and a designated training area. In addition, part of the development is given over to practical serviced spaces for the Alchemists to use on an ad hoc basis. These ‘productions bays’ are equipped with industry standard facilities, reflective of a range of construction and small scale manufacturing trades and are designed to enable Alchemists to: make and assemble components, develop prototypes and 3D models of customer projects as well as store them securely. This will allow the businesses’ staff to apply their skills and practice their craft in a purpose built environment, avoiding significant immediate overhead costs.

Alchemy Benefits:
• Rent free workspace and accommodation for the first year
• Access to college staff and enterprise/business support partner agencies
• Established business address
• Access to college facilities out of normal hours

How do I find out more about the Alchemy Centre?

Contacts:
Anu Babu – Head of the School of Innovation and Enterprise
(01493) 419248
Email: a.babu@gyc.ac.uk

Natasha Prendergast
(01493) 419256
Email: n.prendergast@gyc.ac.uk