A 250-year-old building which has capacity for more than 40 businesses has received a £1 million refurbishment.

Grade II listed Gloucester House, situated on Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees, has undertaken a three month makeover.

The building was previously occupied by e-commerce company Visual Soft and now houses businesses including Silverlink Clinics, Resolution Communications and Enable Care.

Gloucester House was once part of Stockton’s Paradise Row before becoming a hotel and a planning office.

The site was bought and developed by Jeff Highfield, who wanted to give something back to the area he grew up in.

“There was a real shortage of flexible business space in and around Stockton, particularly when there is a growing entrepreneurial culture in the area” he said.

“Our building provides the perfect environment for micro and small businesses to grow and we’re delighted with the range of companies who have become tenants. The challenge now is to fill the remaining offices which we’re confident we’ll do in the coming months.”

Gloucester House has fast free internet access, free parking with 125 spaces, a manned reception, meeting room, kitchen facilities, and each room has its own intercom.

The building, which houses office spaces from 114 sq ft to 550 sq ft across three floors, is secured with high definition CCTV, a monitored intruder alarm and video door entry.

Neil Schneider, chief executive of Stockton Borough Council, said: “It’s great to see more and more businesses choosing to set up home in and around Stockton town centre, which is a real vote of confidence in all the town centre has to offer.

“Gloucester House is a beautiful building and is in an advantageous location for further business growth thanks to its close proximity to the High Street and easy access to local transport links, the A66 and A19.

“We are a business friendly Borough and wish Jeff well in this venture, which is attracting exciting companies to join our business community.”

Gloucester House currently has 22 of its 42 offices vacant.

For information about the vacancies, call 01642 424700 or visit www.gloucesterhouse.co.uk.