Space available for smaller firms

Harrogate Council has responded by converting two large industrial units at its Phoenix Business Centre in Ripon into five smaller workspaces.

The 260,000 scheme has now been completed and will provide nearly 4,000sq ft of flexible space specifically for new and growing businesses.

First to move in has been a product design specialist, Pd-m International Ltd, having outgrown its former offices in Victoria Avenue, Harrogate.

Managing director Richard Hall said the new premises were double the size of his previous site.

He added: "Our business has grown year on year since we launched in 2005 and the larger offices will enable me to take on two new staff this summer."

Coun Don Mackenzie, the council's cabinet member for economic development, added: "We identified a shortage of office space in the area and the need for units of this size so we carried out the development work."

The new units have internal walls which can be removed, allowing businesses to expand.