Like many other workplaces across Mansfield, the centre closed its doors to all but essential businesses in March, after government instigated the COVID-19 lockdown. Home to more than 30 local growing businesses, the centre has seen an increasing number begin to return and take the critical steps toward ‘business-as-usual’.
The centre has developed a COVID-Safe Plan, which includes signage, a one-way system in corridors, staircases and communal areas, and the provision of additional hygiene and sanitisation facilities. The kitchen, catering facilities and toilets remain accessible with extra measures in place to keep people safe.
Though the workspace has been reconfigured to comply with the latest COVID-secure guidelines, the centre continues to offer flexible terms, including easy in/out, hot desking (with extra cleaning in place) and short-term licenses to help ease the transition back to full-time working.
Critically, businesses can also access dedicated on-site business support from Innovation Director David Smith, to help them respond and adapt to the changing and very challenging economic environment.
Centre Manager Hannah Hickman said: “As lockdown restrictions continue to ease and we welcome more people back to the centre, we’ve been working hard to adapt our workspace and our offering, all to create a safe working environment and provide people with peace of mind.
“We have an amazing community here at the Mansfield Innovation Centre, so it was vital for us to be open for business, welcome people back to the centre, and create a space that offers some sense of normality and security in a time of change and uncertainty.
“This not only includes putting measures in place to protect the health and safety of our centre users but also offering our customers the support and flexibility they need to adapt to an uncertain and fast-changing business landscape, and take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.
“The safety of everyone who uses the centre remains our number one priority and we hope the changes we have made, along with the dedicated business support in place, will provide assurance to customers returning after lockdown, and new customers alike.”
Find out more about Mansfield IC workspace here and our growing community here.
