The opening date has been revealed for a business enterprise centre which is being developed in Staffordshire.
The centre – which is based inside Stafford's historic Shire Hall building – will open on Monday, July 18.
Offices and workspaces are now ready for occupation following a £2 million refurbishment of the Market Square site, with Stafford Chambers of Commerce among the first occupants to move in.
Now small and start-up businesses looking for town centre office space are being urged to find out more about the flexible tenancies available at the centre.
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The facility boasts units of between 97 sq ft to 323 sq ft as well as reception and meeting areas. It is located at the rear of the building which used to accommodate the town’s main library.
Staffordshire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: "The Shire Hall is an iconic landmark in the heart of Stafford town centre and we're pleased to have brought it back into productive use for the community.
"Much consideration has gone into the planning of the hall's future use and our evidence and research has shown there is a need for provision in the town for small businesses.
"The business centre includes all the facilities our target businesses will need."
A total of £1.6 million was allocated to the Shire Hall Business Centre project from the national Getting Building Fund through the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Both the county council and Stafford Borough Council have also invested in the centre.
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP chairman Alun Rogers said: "The former library space in the Shire Hall provides an ideal space for small businesses and support the town centre economy, particularly as it recovers from the pandemic period.
"It is a priority of the LEP to support small businesses and ensure they can operate in the right environment to enable them to thrive."
Frances Beatty, cabinet member for economic development and planning at Stafford Borough Council, added: "We're pleased to see the renovation of the Shire Hall is now complete and ready to open.
"This will be a centrepiece for the renaissance of popular community events and gatherings in the Market Square and indeed across the town. The Shire Hall forms an integral part of the wider work that the borough council is leading on – including the Station Gateway and regeneration of the town centre."
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For more information about the centre – or to book a viewing – contact centre administrator Susan Semple at susan.semple@staffordshire.gov.uk or call 01785 226415.
