Breathing new life into Rugby's business community

A creative agency in Rugby is planning to breathe new life into the town’s business community as it executes a five-year growth strategy.

Oxygen, based in Albert Street, is run by couple Malcolm Freeman and Natalie Hughes and provides a range of design, digital and print services to a cross-section of companies – from micro-businesses through to large manufacturers.

It was established eight years ago, employs six people and now has exciting plans to grow the team and the services it offers, following support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and after becoming official Google Partners.

The pair are scouring the area for new commercial space that would allow them to open a business centre for Rugby including a café, hotdesk and meeting facilities to benefit other local firms.

They were advised by Helena Bassett, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, on everything from planning through to work-life balance.

Malcolm said: “I was made redundant eight years ago and started up two weeks afterwards. There are always challenges in life, and in business, but I’ve really enjoyed starting up the company and growing it.

“I met Natalie around the same time and she got involved in the business and it works really well.

“We’ve got two children now so we are striking the balance of working as hard as we can to grow the company but, also making sure it doesn’t impact too much on family life.

“We have two new staff joining us in the New Year and see opportunities to bring in new business and expand further.

“We also feel there is a gap in the market for a business hub in Rugby where people can pop in and get a coffee and work out of the centre – we are actively looking into that opportunity because we feel it would be good for the town and good for business too.”

He added: “Helena from the Chamber has been great. She didn’t come in and read from a script – she understood what we were going through as parents trying to run and grow a successful business.

“We could really see she cared and the advice really came from the heart. The meetings with Helena really sparked our imagination and we are now looking to grow the team and the business.”

The support from the Chamber came via the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, in partnership with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and the District and Borough Councils. 

Keely Hancox, operations manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Oxygen have very exciting plans for the future and they are doing an amazing job of balancing their business expansion with their family life.

“That’s something that many small businesses find challenging and I am very pleased that we have been able to help with that and support their growth.”

For more information or to book on to the Business Support programme, call the Chamber on 024 7665 4321 or log onto www.cw-chamber.co.uk