A SUPPORT organisation has revealed a £3.4m hub aimed at helping smaller firms flourish has got off to a strong start.

Business Durham says Salvus House has already welcomed a number of companies just six months after opening.

The base, in Aykley Heads, on the outskirts of Durham City, provides space for companies to build their presence in the region.

A partnership between Durham County Council, through its Business Durham division, Durham University and New College Durham, Salvus House aims to support new and established businesses wanting to be based in the city.

Bosses say its new tenants include Building Design (Northern) Limited, writing and editing company Concision, engineering consultancy TGA and Discovery Design.

Clive Oliphant, managing director of Building Design, which has more than 35 years’ experience in structural engineering and project management, said: “As a company that designs buildings, it is important for us to be based in a building that is appropriate to showcase what we do.

“Salvus House is a good base for us; we are based on the East Coast main line and clients are impressed by what they see.”

James Addison, Discovery Design managing director, added: “We wanted to be in the centre of Durham, which is the best possible location for us, being central in the North-East between Newcastle and Tees Valley.

“Salvus House is perfect and gives us 80 per cent more office space for us to grow.”

Dr Simon Goon, Business Durham’s outgoing managing director, said he was delighted to see the site proving popular.

He added: “Salvus House is already establishing a reputation as the location of choice for new and established businesses.”