Member Article

Durham entrepreneur to create digital enterprise hub

Durham entrepreneur Paul Devine, owner of Devine Media, is creating a digital enterprise hub in East Durham, designed to support the area’s small businesses.

Securing almost £45k from the Strategic Economic Investment Fund (SEIF), Mr Devine is repurposing a former community centre in Station Town to create the East Durham Business Centre.

The centre will be refurbished and remodelled to create up to 16 offices ranging from 3.99m² to 21m². It will have meeting room space, a green room for photographers/videographers and informal communal, networking spaces.

The project - due to be complete and operational from January 2018 - is expected to create 23 jobs, accommodate 14 businesses and create 180m² of refurbished commercial floorspace.

Paul, who says he identified a gap in the market for digital business space in the area when he set up his own business two years ago, explained: “I have first-hand knowledge of the difficulties faced by small digital businesses trying to find space within East Durham. I wanted to do something about it.

“The community centre had been vacant for some time and it seemed an ideal business opportunity to address the gap in provision. Works are progressing quickly to bring the redundant building back into use. I have already had interest in the space and one business has already signed up for a virtual address”.

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, added: “It’s fantastic to see a new opportunity for small digital businesses, especially one that brings new job opportunities and revives an existing building.

“Ensuring the success of small businesses is an important aspect of regeneration so we fully support any project that nurtures this.”

North East LEP Business Growth Director, Colin Bell commented: “The Strategic Economic Plan clearly sets out our ambitions to stimulate economic growth and provide funding and support in rural areas.

“This digital enterprise hub is an excellent example of the type of project we look to invest in, mixing digital technology and business space, which are both drivers of the regional economy.”

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