Blackpool Enterprise Centre Key To Business Success for Local Accountant
Can your workspace help lock in the success of your business? South Shore Accountants Limited founder Mark Crampton believes that the Blackpool Enterprise Centre has contributed to his success.
Mark Crampton isn’t your typical accountant, as he explains “It’s a stereotyped industry, isn’t it? Pinstriped suits. Lots of jargon. The feeling you’ll get charged for every phone call you have with your accountant. I think one of the reasons that we've been successful is that we take a different approach. People are more than their tax returns. We establish and build long lasting relationships with our clients. That's why we get so many recommendations.”
After more than three decades in the industry, Mark launched South Shore Accountants Limited in 2013 but, with more and more Fylde coast-based work coming in, it wasn’t long before he needed a base of operations beyond the kitchen table.
“I was looking for serviced and secure premises,” Mark explained. “I was lucky to find the Enterprise Centre. I was impressed by the place straight away. It's staffed by extremely helpful people. It gives you an immediate presence, with a professional reception service which contributes to the success of the business .
During his time at the Blackpool Enterprise Centre, Mark has been grateful for the flexibility he has experienced. For a while he moved into a larger office at the centre, sharing it with another business. When that business moved on, the Enterprise Centre partitioned the office, creating two smaller units and enabling him to continue working in the building. Then he hit a prolonged spell of growth, again supported by the Enterprise Centre.
“One of the best things about the centre is the way they bring the people within the businesses together at networking sessions and seminars. It gives you a chance to find out more about the people based in the building and help establish business links”
As a result of these links, Mark took on his first apprentice (a second is joining imminently). Mark also met another accountant who was based in the building, who mentioned he was planning to retire.
“He had around 70 clients and he gave me the opportunity to take those clients on,” Mark recalled. “As a result of who we are and what we represent, we picked up something like 92% of his clients.”
Success snowballed. The new clients brought more recommendations. More recommendations brought more clients, and South Shore Accountants Limited now provide a full suite of accountancy services. “It’s not just year-end returns – we help businesses start up and scale up. We help them with tax investigations, payroll and much more”. We help businesses across the UK ranging from local hoteliers, hair-dressers, taxi / uber drivers, tradespeople, store owners and digital companies, to petrol stations.
Now running a team of five, Mark has upsized the office again. He’s contemplating taking on a second within the Enterprise Centre.
“I can’t praise them enough,” Mark enthused. “They've given me a fantastic business environment. They’ve given me connections. They’ve given me a place to thrive and you feel part of a collective endeavour here.
“I have made full use of the advantages being part of the Enterprise Centre brings. I really believe that, without being in this environment, our success wouldn't have happened so quickly.”
“Mark’s success is a great example of the way the Enterprise Centre supports its tenants,” explained David Slater, Business Growth Manager. “We are not purely a ‘business premises’ service. We’re here to support local businesses start up, get established and grow – and as Mark has demonstrated, that’s about far more than just providing office space.”
For a place to thrive and feel part of, call us on 01253 477147 or email blackpoolunlimited@blackpool.gov.ukor take a virtual tour https://blackpoolunlimited.com/virtual-tour/.
For trusted and reliable accountancy services, call Mark on 01253 343542 or 07973 297958
South Shore Accountants Limited
Email: mark@southshoreaccountants.com
