A STATE-of-the-art business centre in Hartlepool has helped hundreds of businesses reach their potential after being open for just a year.

The Hartlepool Business Development Centre (BDC) was opened by MP Peter Mandelson in August 1999 at a cost of £1.2m.

It provides a wide range of training courses, business support services and facilities for businesses both in the Tees Valley and across the country.

"The centre brings training and services to business and companies not just in Hartlepool but across the country," said the centre's manager, Janet Henderson.

"It is a fantastic facility and the businesses that have used it are really impressed with what we have to offer."

Located within Hartlepool College of Further Education, the BDC includes an impressive video conference facility which allows businesses to hold meetings and seminars with branches, companies or clients around the globe. This room features a high-tech media wall and large-screen multi media projection system.

"A lot of businesses have used this facility and are amazed at the cost savings," said Ms Henderson. "You can imagine how much cheaper it is than, for example, flying to Germany for a meeting each month."

Other facilities include computer suites, a design centre, a CAD bureau, and an occupaitonal health cetnre. Full technical support is provided.

There are also meeting rooms and full catering services.

The centre has a full-time staff of six, but can draw on college resources when necessary.

"We offer more than 100 courses," said Peter Watson, director at the centre and vice principal in the department business and management in the college.

"We do some teaching ourselves but also draw on the college's and outside resources for many courses.

"If there is something a client wants and we don't offer it, we will source it out for the client.

Courses and training cover computing and graphic design, business management, programmable logic control training, occupational health, and engineering and electrical courses.

The BDC can also produce videos and print publications for businesses.

An important service is the BDC's Internet design service, which includes complete website design and administration. The centre, headed by Gary Kester, recently developed hartlepool.net, the official website for the town of Hartlepool.

The BDC is also home to the Hartlepool Enterprise Agecny. The business support organisation moved into the centre this month. John Megson, chief executive of HEA, has been a part of the steering group that helped develop the centre.

"This is a tremendous facility for business support and we would like to be come the hub for small business in Hartlepool."

The national Small Business Service will award the Small Business Franchise for the Tees Valley in October and Mr Megson hopes that the enterprise agency will play a role in providing for business support and advice in Hartlepool.

For more information about Hartlepool's Business Development Centre businesses can contact Ms Henderson on Hartlepool (01429) 292888.