WHAT A ‘BRILLIANT’ ENTERPRISE

Centre is set for a £1.58m expansion

A NORTH Staffordshire business centre is set for a £1.58million expansion to provide more space for small businesses.

More than £1.1 million from Newcastle Borough Council’s Town Deal from the Government will be used to fund the expansion of the Knutton site. Staffordshire County Council is set to invest up to £440,000 in Newcastle Enterprise Centre.

A report said borrowing costs would be repaid from the increased rental income.

The report added: “There has been a long-held aspiration to increase the lettable workshop space, but no previous extension scheme has been cost effective.

“There are constant requests for workshop space, and this aims to meet that demand. Newcastle Borough Council has recognised the socioeconomic benefit of increased lettable space. Whatever commercial activities people will be involved with in the future, they will need somewhere to do it.

“The extension would provide those premises, providing an income stream for the council, for at least the next 120 years.”

Councillors welcomed the proposals at last Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. Borough council leader Simon Tagg said: “Businesses really want these spaces and I’m sure they will be let

very easily.

“They’re an ideal size for businesses to start up and grow.

“These enterprise units, as we’ve seen in Cannock Chase and Silverdale, are brilliant and the money being put in by the Town Deal Board is excellent.”

Councillor Paul Northcott said: “This is great news for Newcastle – the effort and finance that is going into regenerating Knutton is further enhanced by this.”

Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said: “The extension scheme is a key part in the overall Knutton Masterplan, regenerating the wider area, strengthening the local community and boosting its economic growth.”