Cinema goers and new home hunters aren't the only ones who have been keen to experience Leicester's new Phoenix Square. Last Friday, (11th December) representatives from the city's business support organisations attended a special event to get the inside track on the commercial office space available at the development, for Leicester's growing creative industries. 

The event was organised by Leicester City Council's LCB Depot - who is responsible for managing the 22 workspaces at Phoenix Square and developer, Blueprint, who is marketing the larger office studios.  Around 14 delegates attended from organisations including Leicester City Council, the Princes Trust and Business Link - and were given a guided tour of the building by Blueprint development director, Peter Connolly.

Peter said: "Phoenix Square is unique. The combination of different uses within the building means that any business looking to 'set up shop' here will experience something unlike any other office building that I can think of. The only way in which you can really appreciate what has been built within its four walls, is to come and have a look for yourself - which is exactly what this event aimed to do and exactly what we hope the delegates will encourage others to do."

Peter Chandler is Leicester City Council's Creative Workspace Development Manager and a key contact for start up businesses interested in the workspaces. He commented: "There has been considerable interest in Phoenix Square since it opened in mid November and we were keen to showcase the new facilities to several key organisations that provide support to businesses in Leicester."

Delegates visited the creative workspaces, meeting rooms, production facilities, cinemas, digital media spaces and even the show homes, to get an overview of the potential of this unique facility. Craig Pearson from Business Link East Midlands took part in the tour. He added: "It was great to have the opportunity to see what Phoenix Square has to offer to businesses. I'm sure that there will be continued interest in the workspaces from local digital media companies and the facilities as a whole are a fantastic asset to the city and the business community".

Phoenix Square is a unique cultural building which combines contemporary living space, with independent arts cinema, café bar, state of the art workspaces and office studios to house Leicester's growing number of creative businesses. It is the creation of a partnership project between Blueprint, Phoenix, Leicester City Council in collaboration with De Montfort University and is an example of 21st century sustainable building design, coupled with leading-edge architectural quality.  

Further information on the workspaces at Phoenix Square is available by calling the LCB Depot 0116 261 6800 - or on the larger office studios by calling Sturgis Shattock on 0116 285 3360.