Some 200 small and start-up businesses are to be offered accommodation at a new enterprise centre in Dublin's inner city, Guinness and Enterprise Ireland said yesterday.
The premises, on part of the Guinness brewery site near St James's Gate, represents an investment of £4 million (€5 million) and is designed to nurture businesses for their first years.
The Guinness Enterprise Centre, which has been converted from the former hopstore number five and the adjoining kiln house, will be 4,000 square metres and three storeys, making it one of the largest enterprise centres in the country, Guinness said.
The existing building is to be converted into 76 separate units, providing premises and support for around 200 new and existing entrepreneurs. Conference, administration and canteen facilities will be provided.
"It is anticipated that units in the new centre will be made available to those setting up businesses in the software and service oriented sectors, small-scale manufacturing and light high tech engineering services," Guinness added.
At the announcement of the centre yesterday, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said she was very happy to see this type of private/public sector partnership, which she hoped would inspire others.
Guinness Ireland will provide the building, and £1 million (#1.3) towards its refurbishment; Enterprise Ireland will contribute £500,000 and business advice, Dublin Corporation contributed £500,000; and the Dublin City Enterprise Board will contribute £500,000.
