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Two Derby hubs created with the sole purpose of accommodating creative businesses are set to open their doors to non-creative businesses for the first time.

Friar Gate Studios, in Ford Street and Sadler Bridge Studios, in Bold Lane, have been given the green light to let up to 30% of their space to tenants from across the creative industries supply chain.

When Friar Gate Studios was launched in 2007, it received funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

The funding secured was to promote the development of the creative sector in the city, with only businesses operating in the creative sector eligible to take space there. The same applied to Sadler Bridge Studios, which opened its doors in spring, 2014.

Now, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, which administers the fund, has agreed a relaxation of the criteria in order to further promote entrepreneurship within the city, with up to 30% of space now available to businesses in the creative industries supply chain.

This change will allow a wider range of businesses to operate from the two studios and will promote collaboration by giving creative businesses access to a range of complementary services.

These include professional service companies such as accountants, lawyers, financial services and HR professionals, along with education and training companies.

Both buildings are part of the Connect Derby scheme, which operates seven office buildings across the city - Friar Gate Studios, Sadler Bridge Studios, Kings Chambers, Shot Tower, Riverside Chambers and the iHub innovation centre on Infinity Park.