A BUSINESS centre is reaching capacity as a £200,000 investment programme nears completion.

The Tyneside Economic Development Company (Tedco), which opened its business centre in the Viking Business Park, Jarrow, in 1994, is due to complete a six-month refurbishment, upgrading offices, communal areas and meeting rooms in August.

Doug Scott, chief executive of Tedco, said: "The centre is undergoing huge improvements to give it a more professional appearance, and at no extra cost to existing licensees.

"This is an investment in the long-term future of South Tyneside and these works will bring about a huge improvement to the centre, its offices and its facilities.

"The upgrade of the facilities is being made to meet local demand for premises for new and existing businesses. We are confident that the upgrade will keep businesses here that might otherwise have left."

The renovation has seen nine vacant office units being converted for assembling use, with shutter doors, and all have now been taken by companies.

Broadband is being installed in the site's 99 units, and 45 office units are being upgraded in size from 100sq ft to 400sq ft.

Mark Quinn, director of newly-formed recruitment company, Just Recruit UK, which is based at the site, said: "The revamp is going to put us in a different class. The reception, for example, is a big bonus because as a new business, we have not had to worry about putting those services together ourselves."

Most of the funding for the revamp was provided by the Single Regeneration Budget and the European Regional Development Fund. Since Tedco was established in 1984, it has helped to create about 1,000 companies and more than 2,000 jobs.

Published: 08/06/2004