Q&A with HQ Hamill at the Quays

Once again, we'd like to congratulate HQ Hamill at the Quays, Salford, for winning out Business Centre of the Month Award for March.

We thought it'd be nice to tell you a little more about the company so we caught up with their MD, Chris Neill, to tell you more about how they came to be, how it's going over at the Quays and what plans they have for the future.

What was the biggest challenge you faced when setting up HQ?

Launching a new development in the middle of a recession is always a big risk to any business, but seeing that there were few opportunities for small businesses in the Salford Quays and Media City area to take up affordable and modern office space, we felt that it was a balanced risk. Transforming the building into the vibrant business hub it is today is a proud achievement!

What industries do the tenants you have work in, and how does this business centre work for their needs?

We have attracted businesses from a variety of industries from recruitment to construction and property, but being on the doorstep of Media City has brought us several start-ups and businesses from the Media and Creative sector. Our innovative design of the building, offering a variety of breakout and co-working areas, allows for maximum collaboration between businesses and offer a “wow” factor to their visitors.

What new things have you launched this year?

Taking advantage of our waterfront location, we’ve recently created a unique, turfed waterfront seating area overlooking the picturesque Salford Quays waterfront. It's a great location to relax over lunch or for “blue sky thinking” with a colleague - it’s also a great sun trap! Our new “Woodland” themed area offers a welcome respite from the office, and is proving very popular for informal meetings and one-to-ones. Looking to the future, tenants will benefit from a unique collaboration hub, great for hot-desking and offering start-ups a cost friendly desk space in a shared environment.

What sets you apart from other business centres?

Being an independent company, we know what businesses need and have designed HQ with just that: maximum flexibility. Our “Open Door” approach to Customer Service means that our tenants have a direct line to both the Centre Manager and Directors. Tenants are able to easily upsize and downsize, and we operate flexible contracts, believing that that key to client retention is keeping customers happy, rather than keeping them tied in for long periods!

What changes and developments do you see for the company in the future?

As recession fears ease and the economy continues to improve, we hope to continue to develop new business centres. As a small dynamic company we can respond quickly to opportunities and are always looking for sites in strategic areas.

And finally, what do you love the most about your job?

Seeing the successes of our tenants as their businesses grow and evolve – our raison d'être at HQ is to support vibrant and innovative SME’s and seeing their success is my bread and butter.

Thanks to the HQ team for taking the time to tell us about their venture. We look forward to watching the business centre grow in 2014 and beyond!