THE launch of a local business network’s major shared space initiative is aimed at supporting Riverlanders with new commercial ideas, or needing a temporary office space.
The Renmark Paringa Network last month opened its retail and business shared spaces located at the Chaffey Colonnades.
Renmark Paringa Network chair Clint Lewan said the retail hub initiative allowed new or existing businesses a low-risk opportunity to open a shopfront.
“People started using the retail hub at the beginning of January,” Mr Lewan said.
“It’s still not 100 per cent finished, but it will be very shortly and people will be taking tenancies in there.
“It’s a lot cheaper than having to go out and sign your own lease, and then have your outgoings and your overheads, because we cover everything within the rental payment.
“People who might have a home-based business can come to us and hire a professional space that is set up beautifully. It’s all furnished and everything is taken care of.”
The retail hub is currently being used by Cate and Paige Designs, and the Riverland Artist’s Hub.
Mr Lewan said the business hub provided a setting for job interviews or business meetings that could be booked on a “flexible” basis.
“We want to appeal to those people who want an inviting space every now and then to bring customers or clients too,” he said.
“It can be booked by the day, for two days, for a week, for a three-month block and the pricing is all dependent on the length of time.
“The business hub has a private meeting room which can be hired out hourly, or you can have an office or board room by the day.
“It’s for people who work from home and might want a bit more of a professional setting. One of our RPN members is going to hold job interviews there.”
Mr Lewan said tenants of the shared spaces from outside the Renmark Paringa Council would then be able to become network members.
“People can use the spaces and then network, build contacts and work with each other,” he said.
“It allows people from outside the Renmark Paringa Council area to become part of the network by having a space in Renmark.”
Mr Lewan said the network had already seen high demand for the shared spaces during holiday and long weekend periods.
“Those popular tourist times around Easter and school holidays are filling up quite quickly,” he said.
“We might have one spot left – maybe – in the retail hub over Easter.
“It’s ideal for people that want to come into the centre of town where the foot traffic is during those periods.”
The Renmark Paringa Network business hub is located at 6/7 Chaffey Colonnades, with the retail hub located at 32 Murray Avenue.
For further information contact georgina@renmarkparinganetwork.com or visit the Renmark Paringa Network website (www.renmarkparinganetwork.com/).