Hereford enterprise hub Shell Store appoints key staff
Shell Store, a new flexible workspace in Hereford, has made two key appointments as it looks to grow a community of local business owners, freelancers and entrepreneurs.
The facility at Skylon Park in Rotherwas will offer a base for small businesses and remote workers, championing flexible work and acting as a meeting point where local enterprises can not only occupy desks or small office space, but form connections and collaborate with other members.
The broader mission behind the project is centred on bringing benefits to Hereford’s wider economy and community, empowering local people at the helm of their own ventures and supporting businesses within the area.
The hub will be led by new Hub General Manager Laura Hall (pictured right) and Community Assistant Julia Lowther (left), two lifelong Hereford residents who are eager to make their mark on an already iconic building within the new development.
Laura comes into the role with her own hands-on experience running a local business, and a range of skills from other roles previously held in journalism, charity work and local government.
Laura said: “Having run a business myself, I know how tough it can be to figure it all out by yourself. Even when you’re passionate about what you do and experienced in your trade, there are so many elements to making it all work that people just don’t know until they do it.
“Now, as the Community Manager of such a vibrant workspace and support hub for local enterprise, I will be helping entrepreneurs like myself to fill those gaps in knowledge and grow their business in an environment where they can share experiences along the way with like-minded people on a similar path.
"It’s something I really wish I could have had when I was starting out, so I’m determined to reach as many people as possible who are on their journey and give them that extra push in the right direction.”
Shell Store Hereford is operated by co-working firm Town Square Spaces on behalf of Herefordshire Council, which specialises in business support and community-building within their hubs.
The hub, which already has a number of local businesses using its small office space and meeting rooms, is due to launch a co-working space onsite to support freelancers and remote workers.
Laura and Julia are keen to emulate the success of other TownSq spaces across the UK, which each have their own thriving network of members across various industries, leading to invaluable networking and collaboration opportunities that they say are unlikely to have been possible working from home.
Julia, whose background is in sales & marketing, said that she hoped to continue to see the historical Shell Store building full of local businesses and entrepreneurs: “I absolutely love the Shell Store space and all of the fascinating background that comes with it, so I’m thrilled to be playing a role in the next stage of its history.
“The hub is buzzing with events, networking and collaboration, and we are looking forward to continuing to work with such exciting businesses and entrepreneurs. Hereford has so much to offer and it’s important to us that people doing business here are championed and empowered, which is what we are going to do.”
Carl Turner, Community Director for Town Square Spaces, said: “Laura and Julia both know the area so well, and their enthusiasm for making Hereford a better place to do business is already shining through. Their roles will be hugely important for the Shell Store - not only will they be at the centre of a growing network of members within the hub, all sharing a common purpose and building each other up to grow, but they are also ambassadors for TownSq within the wider community.
“Laura and Julia make a fantastic team and I know that they will have a huge impact on developing local business here in Hereford.”
