PRIME business club

Serviced-office giant Regus has launched a series of offers to help cash-strapped small firms beat the recession. Pride of place among them is three-months free space for new startups.

“You have to start somewhere”, says Mark Dixon, founder and CEO of Regus. “I began at the bottom so I know what it takes to get things moving. Despite the gloomy economic outlook there is still opportunity for businesses to flourish.

“Through our Get Started campaign we want to encourage people to fulfil their entrepreneurial dream by making it easy for them to set up a new venture - giving them and the economy a much needed boost.”

You can apply online here by submitting brief details of your business or planned business. Competition is likely to be fierce, so it is a good idea to apply early. Places on the scheme are limited.

Here is what successful applicants get. If you have a clear plan and are ready to get started then Regus will provide free office space for up to three months. If your business plan is not yet finalised Regus will provide day offices for intense planning and meeting rooms so you can can meet with potential partners, suppliers and customers in a professional setting.

The scheme is also backed by British Chambers of Commerce, which will be running a series of mentoring sessions for new entrepreneurs in Regus centres across the country.

“We believe the key to kick-starting the economy is to help our entrepreneurs create new enterprise”, says Mark. “I’d encourage other private sector companies to support the movement and develop similar packages.”

Mark launched Regus 20 years ago after thinking up the idea on a business trip to Brussels. He noticed how many business people were forced to work from hotels for lack of a more professional environment they could simply rent at short notice as and when they needed it. His first business centre along these lines - in Brussels, has since expanded into a global chain of 950 business centers in 70 countries.