Major investment in commercial, industrial and office facilities is creating fresh opportunities for business investors in Tyne and Wear.

The region is popular with local and international investors and boasts some of the best business parks in the UK and Europe.

And with more exciting developments under way, including Sunderland's Rainton Bridge South Business Park and the Baltic Business Park in Gateshead, it's a good time for expanding or relocating businesses to take a look.

For those keen to find out more, Tyne and Wear Development Company is the region's leading business development agency. Bringing over 20 years experience to the task, it has the expertise, contacts and resources to provide comprehensive support on all aspects of expansion and relocation.

It is a direct point of contact for potential investors, offering a full range of services throughout the investment process. These include sourcing development sites and premises and advice on matters such as financial assistance, labour costs and availability.

The company's team of skilled investment officers work to help businesses find their perfect property, matching premises to their needs. Having identified potential premises, they will also conduct site visits as part of the service.

Data recovery company CBL tapped into this support when it was looking to increase the size of its premises to meet new orders. The company was looking to move after a period of sustained success, but was keen to remain in North Tyneside.

Tyne and Wear Development Company was able to help the company treble the size of its office space by investing in the new Hedley Court development on the Orion Business Park, just round the corner from its previous home at the Centre for Advanced Industries.

Frank Priest, CBL general manager, said: "We reached a point where we'd simply outgrown our old office space. Our new premises give us the room we need to grow and the facilities with which to do it. We see the region as an ideal place to expand our UK client base.

"We're appreciative of the support we've had from TWDC. As soon as we contacted them they immediately put the wheels in motion to help us find a new base."

Paul Buie, manager of TWDC, said: "Investors are spoilt for choice when it comes to business premises in Tyne and Wear. Our job is to make life as easy as possible for them by providing all the support they need from one source.

"We're not just about finding properties; we offer the most comprehensive assistance around. We work with companies from the planning stage through to completion of the project. This can include help with accessing funding to providing information about the region."

Relocating to Tyne and Wear was made easier for Trelleborg epros after it received support from Tyne and Wear Development Company.

The firm, which is a world leader in environmental protection systems, chose Follingsby Park in Gateshead as the site for its main UK office. TWDC worked closely with the company for several months to make the move possible.

Danielle Colligan, Trelleborg epros' operations manager in the UK, said: "Tyne and Wear is an excellent base for us. The facilities here are good and we have access to a ready-made workforce with first class skills."

For more information about opportunities in Tyne and Wear, please contact Tyne and Wear Development Company on 0191 516 9099 or visit www.tyne-wear.co.uk.