ACE office space getting snapped up

The offices take up the top two floors of the £6.5m Arts, Culture and Enterprise (ACE) Centre on Cross Street .

They're managed by Hamill Investments Ltd on behalf of Pendle Enterprise and Regeneration Ltd (PEARL).

And more than 30% of the 32 managed workspaces have already been taken up by a mixture of start-up, established and national organisations.

These include Barnados, Herbalife, Raising the Roof and Practical PR, and Network China .

Brothers Simon and Chris Neill run property management company Hamill.

Commercial Director Simon said: "The Enterprise Centre has seen significant progress in the first quarter of 2010.

"We're now over 30% occupied with additional interest in some of the larger units.

"Businesses are really seeing the benefits of the subsidised rents and the facilities on offer and we should be 50% full before the half-year point!"

Suites range in size from 350sq ft to 1500sq ft and are offered furnished, together with phone and broadband connection. This allows companies to move in quickly with minimal capital costs.

Tenants can also benefit from relaxed lease arrangements. This means entrepreneurs can take the step into their first offices without fear of a heavy commitment around their necks.

Herbalife, which advises people on health, nutrition and weight loss, were the Centre's first tenants in September 2009.

Brian Cookson, Executive Director (Regeneration) stressed: "Perhaps the most important feature is the grant funding attached to the offices.

"We're able to provide subsidised rent charges together with future help from the No Limits grant fund. This can only be good news for growing businesses!"

Simon added: "These grants give significant reductions for an initial two year period against rent, rates, power, light and heating.

"The savings are passed directly to our tenants, so for example, a four person starter office on a fully inclusive basis could cost only £100 per week!"

Councillor Allan Buck, who has responsibility for Economic Development, added:

"These excellent fully serviced offices are ideal for our budding entrepreneurs to get their first step on the business ladder.

"They're inexpensive to rent and all the service charges are included so that businesses can budget easily."

Despite Hamill's early success in attracting new tenants to the Enterprise Centre, an intense period of marketing lies ahead in the coming months.

Simon said: "We don't want to rest on our laurels.

"We believe businesses will be thrilled by the facilities at the Enterprise Centre.

"We need to increase the noise and we're committed to doing just that!"

For more information, or to view the offices, contact Hamill Investments Ltd on 0843 216 0340 or info@hamill.co.uk