A £5M industrial scheme under development in Sunderland has attracted its first occupier.

Springboard Sunderland Trust has agreed to take the first two units being provided by Rivergreen Developments at the Rivergreen Industry Centre, on the former David Brown factory site, in Pallion.

Springboard, part of CSV Training and Enterprise, has agreed a deal to take two buildings on the site to provide training and education facilities for up to 350 people each year, creating 11 jobs in the process.

The two buildings under construction will provide total accommodation of 26,000sq ft and the training centre is expected to become operational this summer.

Springboard's £2m investment in the project will provide specialist motor vehicle training workshops, a print design and production studio, a nursery facility for childcare training, a training kitchen with community caf and areas for practical trades skills development. In addition, the centres will provide an independent living centre, conference rooms and multi-purpose training facilities for the local community.

Denise Wilson, head of Sunderland Springboard Trust, said: "We have a long history in Sunderland and the new investment represents our continued commitment to the city.

"Our intention in providing these new premises will be to ensure that local people have the best possible facilities in which to improve their education, develop their self-esteem and acquire the qualities expected by employers."

Springboard Sunderland provided training programmes for more than 2,300 people last year. In addition to its Sunderland centres, the organisation has also recently expanded its operations into the neighbouring areas of South Shields, Hartlepool and east Durham.

When complete the Rivergreen Industry Centre site will provide eight multipurpose units offering more than 85,000sq ft of industrial space.

Published: 03/02/2004