AN online trading company has become the first business to move into offices at newly-developed Ripon Business Park.

Online payment service provider, SECPay, has moved into 2,100sq ft offices in the development, built by Severfield-Reeve Projects (SRP).

SECPay, which has had offices in Ripon for nearly four years, has taken a ten-year lease and relocated its 12 northern staff into the first-floor of the 10,000sq ft two-storey block.

SECPay, which also has 18 staff at its headquarters in Tonbridge, Kent, is the UK's largest independent online payment service provider and processes millions of pounds worth of transactions online everyday.

Founder and managing director Mark Feingold said "We were seeking to relocate our northern base, but Ripon is short of good office space so we are pleased that this new block has been developed.

"Our new base is in very pleasant offices, close to the city centre with all the facilities we require. We have good views over an attractive business park with excellent road links. This is a good move for us."

Construction work on the 11-acre business park, in Boroughbridge Road, began last May. Built by SRP for developer Canalside Developments (Yorkshire) Ltd, it has been designed with an open-plan entrance, individual front doors, a lift and complies with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The three remaining offices are available on flexible leases.