A NEW business centre to encourage the growth of small companies is being opened in the Tees Valley today, leading to the creation of up to 225 jobs.

The £3m development in Darlington, by workspace provider Evans Easyspace, has been hailed as having a crucial role to play in the future of entrepreneurship in the area.

The move comes only months after the company opened a similar £2m development in nearby Newton Aycliffe, which brought 150 jobs to the area.

More than 50 per cent of space in the Darlington centre, one of a network of 50 across the UK and seven in the North-East, has already been let to small businesses across the North-East.

When the 36,500sq ft centre operates at full capacity, which Evans says will happen within weeks, it will provide workspace for about 225 people.

The opening of the centre, on Darlington's Yarm Road Business Park, was yesterday hailed as a major step in expanding the town and regional economy, and in encouraging small and developing businesses to look to the Tees Valley as a place to establish themselves.

Alan Milburn, MP for Darlington, said: "The encouragement of entrepreneurship is vital to the local economy here, and this Evans Easyspace centre provides the right kind of business space to support start-up and developing businesses."

Councillor David Lyonette, cabinet member for regeneration and planning on Darlington Borough Council, said it would help show what the area has to offer.

"This new facility is offering valuable opportunities for local people," he said. "It will contribute to Darlington's economic development, creating jobs in companies which establish their business here."

Ian Frostwick, operations director of Evans Easyspace, said: "Evans Easyspace has a proven record of achievement in the North-East, and we are very proud to bring our concept to Darlington and to be supporting the local business community."

Other Evans sites in the region are in Belmont, Durham; Skippers Lane Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough; Orion Business Park, North Shields; Clifton Moor, York; and Hartwith Way, Harrogate.