Member Article

Durham Council reveals business incubator plans after £3m purchase

Durham County Council has purchased Salvus House office space in Durham for £3m and plans to turn the building into a thriving hub to help small businesses.

Commercial property specialists Naylors completed the sale of of the 32,561 sq.ft premises, located on a 1.9 acre site at Aykley Heads Business Park.

Business Durham, the economic development company for County Durham, which is funded by the county council, is now remodelling the building as the Durham City Incubator to accommodate growing businesses.

The building, designed by Whickham-based Nicholson Nairn Architects, will now offer suites of 3,000 to 9,000 sq.ft for businesses with between 30 and 90 staff, together with space for new businesses and collaborative working areas for individuals requiring workspace.

Simon Goon, managing director of Business Durham said: ’We are delighted to have acquired such a significant and quality office building that will bring new investment to Durham.

“The purchase of Salvus House will not only create and safeguard jobs but will see the council working with Business Durham to support the next generation of County Durham’s businesses.”

Simon Taylor, Naylors’ head of office agency, added: “Salvus House is an outstanding building and will make a fantastic home for new and growing businesses.

“As a result of our marketing strategy we identified a number of interested parties who were all enamoured by the quality of the building and its setting. This has been a great instruction and we are pleased to have secured a positive outcome for all parties”.

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