A BUSINESS hub created by a construction company has welcomed its first occupants.

Sunwell UK and Fielden Marshall Glover Strutt (FMGS) have moved into Esh Space.

The £750,000 development, based on Bowburn North Industrial Estate, near Durham City, has been created by Esh Group as part of a wider expansion on the site, which is already home to the firm’s headquarters and training academy.

Bosses at plastics manufacturing supplier Sunwell and commercial law firm FMGS say the hub will provide much-needed room as the businesses go about seeking further growth.

Nick King, Sunwell UK managing director, said: “We supply customers all over the world from the North-East, so we needed an office space that provided connectivity.

“Esh Space does just that.”

David Glover, director at FMGS, reiterated the positivity, saying the centre will provide scope to meet the demands of its national client base.

He added: “Our business is established but we needed a flexible, high-quality space to expand into.

“Being at Esh Space means we’ll be very well located for our UK customer base and having Esh Group and its broad range of activity on the doorstep will also present opportunities.”

Esh Group, whose portfolio of companies includes civil engineer Lumsden & Carroll, says Esh Space reflects its commitment to supporting the communities it works in, particularly start-up and smaller businesses in need of greater room.

Wes English, Esh Group development manager, said: “We built Esh Space in response to need for high-quality workspace for small businesses in the region, with excellent access to key road and rail links.

“The rental agreements can be tailored to fit their needs.

“It’s these types of businesses that make up our vital supply chain and with our guiding principle to support the communities we work in, we’re very keen to support businesses like Sunwell and FMGS.”

The business space venture comes after a number of years of steady growth at Esh Group, which were overseen by boss Brian Manning.

Mr Manning, a well-known figure in North-East business, sadly passed away last month after a short battle with cancer.

A keen supporter of the local skills agenda, he oversaw the creation of the Esh Academy to help youngsters move up the career ladder and was described by contemporaries as a “colossus”

for his “outstanding business sense”.