SEARCHING for new business premises can often be daunting, having to search across several letting agents, often based outside the area, and with the worry you may have unintentionally overlooked your ideal property in the process.

Now businesses planning to expand, relocate or take premises for the first time can visit the East Durham Business Service (EDBS) online commercial property guide. The guide is updated monthly and gives a picture of industrial and office property availability across the East Durham area.

Information held on the database includes property size, annual rental charges or sales price, details of the letting agent, as well as further useful property information.

The range of properties on offer in East Durham is likely to meet the needs of most businesses, from small office and industrial space right through to distribution and call centres. Many spaces have seen generous rental reductions due to the current economic climate.

There is a lot to attract businesses to East Durham, whose claim to be at the heart of the North-East is based on it being situated within easy commuting distance of Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham and Middlesbrough.

This central location makes the area perfect for accessing large local labour markets, working with companies in other major conurbations as well as transporting goods and services throughout the region and nationwide. Rental costs are competitive in relation to other areas of the North-East, with selected agents offering a range of incentives on properties.

To discuss vacant properties in more detail and for advice on your property selection, call Peter Rippingale at EDBS on 0191 586 3366.

To access the commercial property guide visit www.edbs.co.uk and follow the link to ‘commercial property’, where you will be able to access the database and search against your own specific criteria.

For development land enquiries please contact EDBS directly.

Businesses taking commercial premises for the first time may be eligible for grant funding to support their move and this can also be discussed with Peter Rippingale.