HUNDREDS of new jobs could be created in Middlesbrough following the £4m refurbishment of the Centre North-East office building.

The 18-storey glass fronted building, the tallest office complex in the North-East, is now available to companies looking for premises following the completion of the work.

Its owner, Marchday Holdings, is in negotiations to bring the first major tenant to the block.

An announcement is expected before the end of the month.

Shaw Property Concepts Ltd is working with the letting agents, Jones Lang Lasalle and Storey Sons & Parker to sell the benefits of the building to prospective occupiers from across the country.

The building, which is still home to the Middlesbrough Town Centre Company, once numbered the likes of accountancy firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers among its tenants.

But the move by large companies to newer premises on out of town business parks in the area, led the building to fall into disrepair, until Marchday moved in.

Now the building has been renovated to create air-conditioned offices which have more services, including lifts and disabled access.

Facilities of particular note include:

Immediate occupation

and flexible leases.

Broadband availability.

Conference facilities.

On-site car parking.

Accommodation is available from 5,000 sq ft to 125,000 sq ft, at a cost of £9.50 per sq ft.

Barbara Wren, Middlesbrough Town Centre Manager, said: "We are delighted with this massive investment in Centre North-East, which is a landmark building within Middlesbrough town centre.

"The prospect of new businesses and jobs coming to the town is very exciting and we are looking forward to welcoming new tenants to the offices in the near future."

Marchday Holdings director John Orchard, added: "There is a high level of interest in Centre North-East from companies all over the country, and as far away as the US.

"We expect the building to become the first choice for businesses moving to Middlesbrough and jobs will undoubtedly follow."

He added: "Centre North-East has Broadband availability, allowing the use of the latest technology and making the building ideal for businesses such as call centres.

"Situated in the heart of the town centre it has excellent public transport links and great retail and leisure facilities close by all very attractive to a quality and well-motivated workforce."