A BUSINESS centre built with small ventures in mind is a step closer to opening in south Durham.

Construction of the £700,000 Wear Valley Business Centre- Innovation House, in Bishop Auckland, was completed last week.

Wear Valley District Council, which owns the development on the South Church Industrial Estate, hopes it will be the ideal location for about 16 small businesses.

Tenants will benefit from support from the neighbouring Wear Valley Business Centre and the council hopes to offer flexible leasing terms

The 400 sq ft centre was built in six months, with funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.