SOFTWARE consultant John Usher believes he has saved thousands of pounds since moving his young firm to a new e-business centre.

His company, Blue Logic, sells and provides back-up support for software packages, which are helping public and private sector organisations bid for Government and European funding.

He launched the organisation from his Sunderland home after being made redundant, when his former employer closed.

Mr Usher has moved the company to Innovator House, part of the North-East of England Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).

He said: "As business rolled in, I decided a more professional location was needed to attract new clients.

"I did a lot of looking around and eventually opted for the new e-business centre at the BIC.

"The security is excellent, there is a good support service and the whole site looks professional with accommodation second to none."

He added: "I've saved around £5,000 on the initial outlay of computer equipment and furniture. Everything I need is here and it's all brand new and state-of-the-art."

Innovator House houses 26 business units dedicated to new and young enterprises, with information technology their driving force.

All the offices come with workstations fitted, including PCs, printers, scanners and broadband Internet access.

Mr Usher supplies software support to more than 20 councils across the UK.

His main product is Total Management, a suite of IT management tools to help local authorities in the bidding process for money from the Single Regeneration Budget, New Deal in the Community Fund, European Social Fund and also European Regional Development Fund.