EMPTY central government-owned buildings are being turned into incubator units for baby businesses.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) last week announced 20 empty government buildings in 18 locations have been identified as having potential to be used by aspiring entrepreneurs.
One of the buildings, Albion House, is in Bedford.
A spokesman for BIS said even though Luton and Dunstable locations had not been included “it did not mean that there would be none in the future.”
The government is now inviting incubation and business start-up organisations, which help new and existing small firms, to manage and allocate these spaces.
These organisations will also provide businesses moving into the space with valuable support and advice.
Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk, the MP for Hertford and Stortford, said: “Many entrepreneurs struggle to find a suitably flexible and affordable space to start their business, so this is a practical measure which the government is taking to support the next generation of businesses.
“Opening up areas that are not being used will give entrepreneurs access to the space they need to start and grow.”
The government, working in co-operation with landlords, will offer as much space as possible to small businesses, giving them room to grow at a low cost.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said: “This government saved over £100 million in the last financial year alone by getting a tight grip on government property and using space more efficiently.
“In some cases it’s not possible to sell a building or exit a lease immediately when the space is no longer needed. Rather than letting these buildings sit empty at the taxpayers’ expense, we are making this space available to SMEs. This is an innovative measure that will support British business.”
This year the government is running the Business in You campaign to encourage more people to start or grow their business throughout 2012 using a range of existing support services. More information is available at businessinyou.bis.gov.uk.