A North West workspace provider has revealed rescue plans to help its 187 tenants survive the impact of Covid-19.
Manchester-based Cariocca Enterprises was founded in 1986 to support entrepreneurialism in the inner-city communities, and offers managed workspaces in Miles Platting and Ardwick.
The landlord has reduced rents by 25% and helped its tenants access government grant funding many of whom have found the application process complicated and prohibitive.
Cariocca is working with Manchester City Council to highlight the concerns of its tenants and to call for the application process to be simplified.
Tenants at the workspaces range from film companies to energy brokers.
Nadia Fortune-Nesbit, Operations Manager at Cariocca said: “We have been supporting Manchester entrepreneurs from all backgrounds since 1986 and aim to provide and run well-managed and efficient business spaces to inspire, encourage and promote the development of SME businesses, particularly within Manchester’s African-Caribbean community.
"It’s now more important than ever that we help businesses get through this crisis. We are continuing to provide accessible sites so that our tenants can provide their essential services to communities.
“We’ve also found that the information available to businesses on how to access the financial support available isn’t easy to navigate and some Tenants are finding it a challenge to qualify for the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Funding of £10,000.
"We have been able to help almost all of our 187 tenants to benefit from this government funding, many of whom had been rejected on their first application, by assisting with appeals and confirming Tenancy information.
As well as business spaces, Cariocca provides training, coaching and professional services including accountancy, law and financial planning in Manchester’s inner-city areas.
