Start-Up Street is making business dreams come true

A scheme to help entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground has turned town centre units into thriving business hubs, Renfrewshire Council has said.

- EXPRESS REPORTER

Start-Up Street is a Renfrewshire Council initiative designed to provide affordable workspace and tailored support for new businesses.

Since launching in 2020, the three centres in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew have repurposed vacant council properties and police station garages into modern business hubs.

Businesses benefit from subsidised rent in high-quality facilities, with essential utilities and free-WiFi, helping keep overhead costs low.

The programme also provides tailored support from advisers, peer networking, and workshops to support their growth and development.

The scheme has seen all three centres reach full occupancy and has accommodated a diverse mix of businesses, including podcast producers and fashion designers.

So far, businesses have achieved high survival rates, with 86 per cent still trading after two years, compared with the national average of 67 per cent.

Several businesses have upgraded to larger units or moved on to their own premises within Renfrewshire.