‘Now could be time to strike out and set up new business’

That message came from none other than business and enterprise minister Mark Prisk.

Speaking in Houghton Regis at the launch of Sandringham Drive development and its Community and Enterprise Hub, Mr Prisk said people should “go for it”.

Mr Prisk ran his own firm before becoming Conservative MP for Hertford and Stortford. He entered parliament at the same time as SW Beds MP Andrew Selous.

He added: “If you come through now and make it, you can make it any time. And more power to the elbow for that.”

Mr Prisk added that getting hold of funding from sometimes reluctant banks wasn’t the only determining factor for business success.

He said: “Banks do lend to businesses. About 70 per cent of those going to the banks get funds. The idea there is no money is false.”

He added that a crucial issue is to keep costs low and knowing the people to talk to about making progress in business.

Mr Prisk supported the idea of the Community and Enterprise Hub because it is based in a housing development, giving people the chance to work close to home.

Mr Prisk added: “It is not just a construction project but also a small business project. This scheme represents an important change of thinking by bringing together housing and opportunity.”

Mr Selous added that the Hub was useful to new businesses by providing great opportunities to network with people in similar circumstances and experts through courses.

The Hub, as well as providing space to rent from £100-a-month, has rooms for meetings, training and conferences. It can also provide prestige addresses for home-based companies.

The official opening event was held by Aldwyck Housing Group together with Hill Partnerships.

Sandringham Drive is a community of 179 mixed tenure new homes, providing accommodation for social rent, supported housing, intermediate rent and shared ownership. There are also an additional 52 homes for private sale by Hill Residential.

At the centre of this new community is a purpose built Community and Enterprise Hub that has been designed to support social enterprises, local business and local residents.

Aldwyck Housing Group worked with both Central Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Council to get the scheme off the ground.

Andy Hill, chief executive, Hill Group, said: “The philosophy behind the Sandringham development is to create an integrated new community and the combination of the excellent range of apartments, homes, a state of the art enterprise hub and central park space achieves this. The hub is an asset for local businesses to flourish and boost the local economy.”