Go further - case studies

PREMISES GRANTS SCHEME BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO WANSBECK

A scheme that aims to boost commercial property investment is breathing new life into Wansbeck.

Go Wansbeck’s Business Premises Grants Scheme is providing financial backing to encourage property developers and entrepreneurs to invest in and develop new business premises across the area. Funding is available to support both speculative and ‘purpose built’ projects for sale or let and covers new builds as well as the refurbishment and conversion of existing buildings.

Aidan Sunter and Neil O’Boyle, owners of South Shields based Aspirational Investments Ltd, received over £30,000 to help them transform a vacant, run down retail unit in Ashington into a modern setting for the duo’s fourth O2 franchise. The store required extensive rebuilding work including a new roof, new flooring and new internal walls.

Aidan said: “Without the support available to us through the Go Wansbeck business premises grant scheme it would not have been possible for us to complete this project.  As a result nine people have got jobs and the main shopping street in Ashington has a very attractive looking shop rather than a vacant building.”

David Baird, property development officer at Northumberland County Council, administrators    or the project, said: "The Wansbeck LEGI Business Premises grant scheme has been instrumental in supporting the provision of new and refurbished high specification business   accommodation for small and medium sized enterprises, attracting new investment and job opportunities to Wansbeck and creating modern and appealing sites and premises for further growth.

“The O2 project exemplifies what the Wansbeck Business Premises scheme has set out to achieve, by providing grant funding to renovate tired and redundant workspace, helping entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow and expand and to create new jobs in these difficult economic times.”

Since the scheme started, over 220,000 sq ft of high quality office, industrial space has been built or renovated in Wansbeck. For further information contact David Baird on 01670 534169.

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