New E Centre in Bandon to give start-ups a head start

24 Aug 2013

(Left to right) Cllr Veronica Neville, Bandon Chamber; Gearoid Ó'Driscoll, president, Bandon Chamber of Commerce; Julie Crowley, E Centres co-ordinator; and Chris Smith, interim manager, Bandon Credit Union

Start-ups in the Bandon, Co Cork, area will be able to avail of a new state-of-the-art E Bandon Enterprise Centre (or E Centre) equipped with broadband, hot desking and office facilities when it opens next month.

Bandon’s new business hub is located over two floors above Bandon Credit Union. It also features more than 3,000 sq feet of office space and 24/7 secure access, so start-ups can have the opportunity to network with other business people, which can lead to collaboration with fellow entrepreneurs.

The E Centre won’t be open to just start-ups, however. Individuals who work alone, such as at home, are welcome to come to the centre and benefit from meeting like-minded individuals.

Gearoid Ó’Driscoll, president of Bandon Chamber of Commerce, said it is vitally important to assist start-up and fledgling businesses at an early stage and help them to grow and create employment.

Ger Power, head of Finance and Economic Development at Cork County Council, added that supporting business and start-ups is crucial to progressing the region further economically.

“The E Centres demonstrate our commitment as a local authority to developing and growing business in every part of Cork County through the Economic Development Fund. This will provide a major boost for Bandon entrepreneurs,” Power said.

Other E Centres in Co Cork are already up and running in Macroom, Bantry, Millstreet, Charleville and Fermoy.

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com