A business centre for new and growing SMEs has welcomed a string of new tenants despite the tough economic conditions.
Novus Business Centre in Peterlee, which is managed by East Durham Business Service, offers flexible office space for sole traders and expanding micro companies that want a professional space from which to trade.
And although much of 2020 has been spent under the coronavirus pandemic cloud, which has left many businesses struggling to remain operational, Novus has welcomed ten new tenants.
It means the business centre is nearing full occupancy, with only a handful of offices remaining unoccupied.
Sandra Wardle is centre manager at East Durham Business Service. She said: “Although this year has been incredibly challenging and we currently find ourselves in a second national lockdown, we’ve found many of our tenants have welcomed the safe, peaceful haven that our business centre offers them.
“Alongside that, throughout the months of lockdown we’ve had a steady flow of new enquiries from sole traders and micro companies that wanted their own office space to grow.
“I’m delighted to say those enquiries have resulted in us welcoming ten new tenants from a range of sectors, who are now successful operational from within our business centre.”
The new tenants include Redhouse Property Surveyors, KDM Estates, software companies Syntech Solutions and Grieve Software Consultancy, energy firm Energy Made Simple and financial adviser Neil Halliday of Carter Thompson and Associates.
Kirstien Mabon is Director at bespoke lettings agency KDM Estates. She said: “Novus Business Centre is the perfect location for my business which is why I have returned here after initially been based here when I first launched. So, I’m a new tenant but equally probably one of the longest serving too.
“I love the fact that the office space is flexible which allows for growth, and there’s support on hand from the East Durham Business Service team should I need it.
“In the current climate, when everyone is being affected by the coronavirus pandemic, I feel very safe in the knowledge that Novus is a clean, hygienic and socially distanced environment where I can work with peace of mind. It’s actually good for me to be able to come into work and maintain the normality of being in the office – definitely something we as business owners need as the second national lockdown takes hold.”
Neil Halliday said: “Carter Thompson and Associates has offices in Darlington and Bishop Auckland so Novus and Peterlee made sense geographically for us. Novus really suits me and because of its location is the perfect place for me to be based.”
The remaining offices are available for rent with various sized spaces available. For more information call Sandra Wardle on 0191 5863366 or email sandra.wardle@edbs.co.uk.