WORK is now complete on Durham County Council’s most ambitious development project at Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, in County Durham.

The £6.8m Tanfield Lea Business Centre has been made possible with funding from the council, One North East, County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

This iconic development will provide 40,000 sq ft of modern office and workshop accommodation for businesses in a revolutionary, three-storey building which is aimed at both new and existing businesses and will include a new approach to lettings to encourage young entrepreneurs to pursue self-employment.

Facilities in the business centre will include:

■ Three floors of modern office space including a communal atrium with kitchen facilities

■ 45 office units ranging in size from over 100 to over 1,000 sq ft

■ Fully equipped conference and meeting rooms for hire

■ Fully manned reception providing a wide range of office services

■ Telephony and Broadband connectivity

■ Car-parking facilities

■ 24-hour access to individual office units

The business centre is close to the A6706, direct link road to Gateshead and Newcastle.

D u r h a m County Council’s principal development officer, Ross Bullerwell, said: “This major development will have a significant impact on the economy of Durham and ensure that public sector developments continue to lead the way in encouraging economic growth and sustainability in semi-rural locations.”

The official opening of the new centre took place in March, 2009.

The ceremony was performed by former Derwentside District Council’s chairman, Coun Eric Turner, and leader, Alex Watson, as one of their last duties for the district.

Interest in this iconic building has been very encouraging, with enquiries for modern office accommodation being received from businesses across the many sectors throughout the North-East.

ROK area leader, Neil Jukes, said: “This is a flagship scheme for ROK and we believe this is a key project to continue the growth and redevelopment of the area.

“We will be employing local people to successfully deliver this project over the next year.”

Tanfield Lea Business Centre has achieved a ‘very good’ BREEAM rating (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), demonstrating the level of environmental design excellence.

For further information contact Andrea McGuigan on 01207 218219 or visit www.tanfieldleabusinesscentre.com