Lloyds Bank shows support for Bristol entrepreneurs with extension to Boxworks sponsorship

Lloyds Bank has renewed its sponsorship of Boxworks, the pioneering shipping container-based office space for start-ups and social enterprises at Bristol’s Engine Shed innovation hub, for another year.

The bank was a key backer in the creation of the quirky business incubator space, which opened in December 2015.

The 20 containers were ‘re-imagined’ into custom-designed workspace for the creative, digital and hi-tech industries. They have since provided 30% additional capacity for Engine Shed, which reached full occupancy in its first year, allowing a further 120 entrepreneurs to join the cluster of businesses and projects at the entrepreneurial hub.

Lloyds Bank retail business banking managing director Jo Harris said: “We know that having affordable office space in the early stages of any business is crucial to its success.

“In the South West, there is a flourishing enterprise community and we want to help even more businesses in the region start-up, grow and prosper. As part of our ongoing commitment to support UK businesses, we are delighted to work with Engine Shed for another year.”

Frome-based business space firm Forward, which operates Boxworks, said several businesses had already moved into larger properties nearby and been quickly replaced by new, smaller companies.

CEO Gavin Eddy said: “Boxworks is designed to be different – inside and out.  Not only is it a great location but the space is eye-catching, flexible, affordable and fun. 

“It is a diverse community of start-ups, early stage small businesses and those requiring grow-on space. Boxworks reflects the breadth and ambition of businesses emerging in Bristol.”

Entrepreneurs taking space in Boxworks, which is due to run for up to two and a half years, gain from services provided by Engine Shed, including access to its iconic Business Lounge.

Engine Shed director Nick Sturge said: “Lloyds Bank’s continued sponsorship of Boxworks, and their further engagement through membership of our Business Lounge, shows the importance they are placing on supporting us in helping businesses to scale up.

“We are focusing on creating inclusive and sustainable economic growth and have events planned on the challenges of a scaling CEO and how to develop skills locally to meet the needs of a developing business which hope to address this.”

Award-winning Engine Shed, which sits in the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, is a collaboration between Bristol City Council and the University of Bristol, supported by the Homes and Communities Agency.