Plans announced to expand business centre after successful first year

6 July 2016

Jillian Coleman, Business Centre Manager at The Hub in Washington

After a successful first of year trading, a business centre in Washington is celebrating with plans to develop a new centre four times the size of its current build to cater for growing demand.

The Hub, part of the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) portfolio, is situated in three acres of development land and currently offers 17 modern, air-conditioned offices with meeting and conference facilities as well as offering help and advice to start up and established businesses. Offices range from 150sq.ft. to 1,000sq.ft.

Since opening its doors in July last year, the 10,000sq.ft. centre is already at full capacity and plans are now being drawn up to develop a new 40,000sq.ft. state-of-the-art centre.

Business centre manager, Jillian Coleman, said: “Due to the success and demand for managed office space in this area, we have already outgrown our facility less than a year since we first opened.

“We are part of the North East BIC, so all tenants have the re-assurance they can access the same level and quality of service as those businesses located at Sunderland and Business Central Darlington.

“This is great news for businesses wishing to locate in the Washington area and it is expected that the new building will accommodate a range of businesses of all sizes, providing first class meeting and conference facilities, a café and crèche.”

Chief executive at the North East BIC, Paul McEldon added: “It is fantastic that the Hub is already full in just 12 months. This demonstrates not only the quality of space but also the benefits of tapping into BIC Business Solutions to help businesses flourish and grow.

“We look forward to the next development and are excited for the future.”

The Hub is in an ideal location, less than two minutes’ drive from the A1 and A19 providing businesses with excellent road access to major regional towns and cities including Gateshead and Newcastle in the North to Durham, Darlington, Newton Aycliffe and further afield in the South, as well as free car parking on site.