First tenants for £ 6million centre
WEARSIDE’S new £ 6million business base has welcomed its first tenants.
The newly- completed Washington Business Centre, on the Turbine Business Park, has let its biggest hybrid unit to an ambitious new company with clients across the UK and Europe.
Business Performance Partners ( BPP) Visual Ltd, which was set up last year by former Ernst & Young analyst and ex- TRW financial controller Rich Greensmith, develops and produces visual management tools to help businesses improve.
The business has just appointed Graham Simmons as design director, bringing together his technical and visual imaging experience with Rich’s financial expertise.
“Washington Business Centre is the ideal base for us because of the high- quality accommodation and competitive rent,” said Mr Greensmith.
“We’re also hoping our move to the centre will help to raise our profile among companies in the region, letting them know we are here and what we do.
“Plus, the centre has excellent transport links for clients visiting from across the UK and Europe.”
The business centre, built with Sunderland City Council, offers easy access to the A19 and A1231.
The 5,200sqm two- storey building has 24 offices, seven hybrid units and 13 workshops and, once filled, it is expected to create or protect about 200 jobs.
Sunderland City Council’s business development team worked with BPP, advising the new company on marketing and future growth strategies.
Council leader, Coun Paul Watson, said, “We’re very proud to welcome such an innovative young company into Washington Business Centre, and we’re pleased BPP has chosen the centre’s largest hybrid unit.”