Image change draws on past (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Image change draws on past

A SWINDON firm which was born out of the closure of Swindon's Railway Works is updating its image. Economic consultancy GWE Workspace, which is part of Great Western Enterprise, has used its historic origins to create a fresh logo and update its image.

Gone is the old Great Western Enterprise logo with its griffin, and in its place is a fresh GWE Workspace logo, pictured, which uses the font of the old Great Western Railway.

The company is a not-for-profit organisation with a turnover of £13m and 135 staff.

It has also launched a new website separate from Great Western Enterprise at www.gweworkspace.co.uk.

James Monk, GWE Workspace's property director, said the makeover and new website were created to help give the division its own identity, making it easier for clients and potential clients to access its services.

"We are very proud of our heritage and have provided workshops and office accommodation in Swindon for almost 20 years now, often based around former railway works premises," he said.

"We are equally proud of the help we give to new and growing companies in the area. Our clear focus to provide a service that assists the growth and success of businesses in our communities remains.

"But customers' needs evolve, which is why we have changed the GWE workspace brand in order to make ourselves easier to access for both existing and potential customers."

The company is one of the town's leading providers of workspace, business support and skills training.

And it provides workshops, serviced office space and studios to accommodate all sizes of business.

It currently offers about 110,000 sq ft of office and workshop accommodation for more than 200 businesses.

l The company has also invited 80 former employees of the Swindon Railway Works to a Christmas party this month.

GWE was set up following the closure of Swindon Railway Works in 1986 and has since then provided the funding for a weekly meeting of ex-railway workers as well as the annual Christmas party.

Mr Monk, said: "We are very happy to support the ex-railway staff, as we have done over the last 20 years, because they have made such a big contribution to the success story that is Swindon."

Anthony Osborne