A NEWLY refurbished business centre is opening its doors in an attempt to attract fledgling companies to take advantage of its flexible office scheme.

The Evans Incubation Centre in Newton Aycliffe, which offers a wide variety of office space ranging from hot desking to space to accommodate several staff, is relaunching on May 16 after investing more than £50,000 in developing the building on Durham Way South.

Centre manager Trudy Hind said: "We don't just supply office space, we also offer business support to our clients and offer a range of networking events to help them to drum up business. In fact it was one of our tenants, Effective Chartered Surveyors, who carried out the refurbishment of the building.

"We are trying to get across to businesses that it's not just about moving in here and using the office space but we will help to develop their business. Several of our clients have started off in a small office before taking on a larger one and in some cases moving out entirely to a much larger premises.

"To help fledgling businesses get up and running we offer short contracts to enable them to get out early if their business is not working out as they planned, so that they are not losing vast sums of money in a long term contract."

The centre provides reception and secretarial services, as well as a networking lounge, business post collection and delivery service, kitchens and on site parking.

Any company interested in attending the open day, which runs between 11.30am and 1pm, should call 01325-328820.