THE first tenants are moving into a major extension of one of Tees Valley's most successful business centres.

The extension to UK Steel Enterprise's (UKSE) Innovation Centre in Kirkleatham Business Park, Redcar, has added 16,500sq ft of space to the existing multi-million pound 30,000sq ft centre.

The initial building was full within a few months of being opened by former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam, in September 2000, and new businesses and existing tenants needing to expand have been quick to reserve space in the extension.

It has been built to the same specification as the existing centre, with five workshops and 12 offices, as well as additional reception area and parking space.

Simon Hamilton, UKSE's regional executive, said: "There is little doubt the centre is answering the needs of businesses in the area, particularly those that are technology-based, as they are looking for facilities such as video conferencing, broadband and intelligent data cabling."