Laois remote workers not interested in paying for hotdesks - enterprise manager

Remote workers do not want to cough up for the price of "hotdesks" in a Laois business enterprise hub, according to its co-ordinator.

Patricia Frayne is the co-ordinator of Portlaoise Enterprise Centre, which supports startups as well as established businesses looking for a Laois base to meet and work.

The centre in Clonminam Industrial Park is nearly at capacity, with up to 30 people working there, some companies for as long as seven years.

Ms Frayne gave a presentation to Laois County Council recently.

"I find that remote workers want to stay at home. They will only consider a facility like ours if they are supported by an employer," she revealed.

"It's a space for an individual start-up, then perhaps they move on to an office, on a one year licence agreement, with 24 / 7 access, 365 days a year. A business address offers weight."

The 22,000 sq foot centre needs to expand she said.

"We have five industrial units, all occupied. We have five shared hotdesks with four occupied. We have 16 small offices and three meeting or training rooms. 

"There is huge growth in the meeting room sector, because hotel costs have gone up. People are looking for a more cost effective location," she said.

Among their tenants are an Electric Ireland Superhomes business,  a waste compactor, a furniture designer, an auctioner, a windscreen replacement company, a wedding designer, and a Laois media business. 

"Our role is to supply affordable workspaces. We offer lower costs than the market rates, with plenty of parking, close to the motorway. It can be lonely if you are starting at the kitchen table. Here they meet others, we have Christmas lunches, and we can signpost them to other areas. Some owners live locally, for some we are like a sub office," the co-ordinator said.

Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey has offered to support the centre to expand.

"I thank Patricia, the board chairman Pat Culliton and the board for all their hard work. I had a visit and was very impressed, not just by the facility but your ambition to grow. We do see the growth. Other enterprise centres are a big part of the puzzle to grow. Anything we can do to support you, we are there," he said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly is on the Portlaoise board.

"We have outdone ourselves, we have run out of space. it's something the council needs to have a look at," he said.

Cllr Aidan Mullins is on the board of the Portarlington Enterprise Centre, which like Portlaoise is almost full, is non-profit and operates in association with Laois County Council.

"The supports they both provide are probably under appreciated, particularly for startup incubation. When they get a foothold they move on and let someone else in. That doesn't always happen and some become longer term tenants. We have a problem but it's a good problem. We have no room to expand," he said.

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"The fact that you're at your max shows the demand. It would be fantastic to show your options to expand," said Cllr Tommy Mulligan. 

"You are a bedrock of the Laois hub collective. You have done a lot of work on development throughout the county. There is a huge demand for the Portlaoise service," said Cllr Paddy Buggy, who is manager of the Beale business centre in the MDA, Mountmellick.