A North East Business Centre has undergone a major refurbishment to accommodate some of the region’s growing small businesses.
The Pinetree Centre, which is based in Birtley, has invested £36,000 into refurbishing and improving the building with new carpets, office space and ceilings following a small fire which caused smoke damage throughout an entire floor.
The Centre is currently home to 28 businesses including driving school Pass N Go, British Gas Smart Metering and Kare Plus Durham. It offers support and competitive tenancy rates for small to medium sized enterprises, specialising in start-up companies.
Office manager Laura Goldston said: “We have invested in a new and improved centre to provide the best environment for businesses to thrive and grow.
“The whole building has had an overhaul, with one floor in particular benefitting from a complete refurbishment in order to provide better office space as well as a professional environment for our clients to grow their businesses in.
“We provide fully-furnished flexible office space with easy-in easy-out tenancy agreements.”
The Pinetree Centre took the opportunity to alter the office space to re-house expanding company and tenant Drycore, who have been in the centre since June 2013. The dry lining and plastering company has grown from a team of two to seven during their time at the centre.
Victoria Mcaninly, Accounts administrator at Drycore, said: “Laura and the team always do whatever they can to help not only you and your colleagues but the development of your business. The flexibility and option to move to bigger or smaller offices is a great advantage and they ensure there are always conference rooms available whenever you need them.
“The location of the offices are also great, as the centre sits in between some of the main North East cities, as well as near local transport links.”
Eleven rooms have been fully refurbished, with nine now fully occupied with tenants. The three-month project also included new ceilings for 18 offices, new carpets for the full first floor and decoration and painting throughout.
The Pinetree Centre is managed by Pinetree, a charitable business support organisation which offers free business advice and access to finance to start up and existing businesses that have been refused mainstream finance or have complex needs.
Pinetree and the team can offer individuals and businesses a focussed range of services – around business support, access to finance and managed office space. Pinetree manages funds of more than £563,000 and is able to offer loans of up to £25,000.
Phil Shakeshaft, chairman of Pinetree, said: “With the recent refurbishment and the success of our services Pinetree is able to offer up and coming entrepreneurs of the North East the support they need to set up their own business.
“We aim to provide a positive and nurturing environment for small to medium businesses with a focus on support and flexibility for each of our tenants.”
Since 1991, Pinetree has been working to help a range of clients that include students, unemployed individuals, ex-offenders, people with physical and sensory disabilities, ex-service personnel, people aged 50+ and those individuals and businesses who have been refused mainstream finance.
More than 3,000 individuals and businesses have received some level of support from Pinetree since 2010 but this is now to be accelerated.
For more information about Pinetree and the services it offers please contact an adviser on 0191 492 8215 or emailenquiries@pinetree-centre.co.uk