Small and start-up businesses looking for town centre office space are being urged to find out more about a new enterprise centre housed in one of Staffordshire's most iconic buildings.
Work is ongoing to transform part of The Shire Hall, in Market Square, Stafford, into a thriving business centre for up to 21 companies.
The £2 million scheme is being led by the county council and is expected to open in the summer.
Now businesses on the look out for a new office premises are being urged to find out more about the centre.
Staffordshire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: "The fit-out of the business centre is progressing well ready for opening in the summer.
"Interested businesses can now get in touch with the centre management team to find out more and book a viewing. I'm sure they'll be impressed with the facilities, the setting of the building and its location.
"The Shire Hall is an iconic landmark in the heart of Stafford town centre and we’re pleased to have brought it back into productive use for the community.
"Much consideration has gone into the planning of the hall's future use and our evidence and research has shown there is a need for provision in the town for small businesses.
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"The business centre includes all the facilities our target businesses will need. It follows the model of our other enterprise centres with flexible tenancies and a support team on site.
"A thriving enterprise hub in the Shire Hall will benefit the wider town centre economy and recent investment and planned regeneration undoubtedly make Stafford an attractive place to work and live."
The Shire Hall Business Centre is located in the area at the rear of the building which used to accommodate the town's main library.
It will offer office space, reception facilities, meeting areas, networking opportunities and business advice and support.
The units will range from 97 sq ft to 323 sq ft and there will be flexible working options including hot desking and the option to rent a PO Box. The centre management will be based in the building and there will also be out-of-hours security patrols.
The enterprise hub project was allocated £1.6 million from the national Getting Building Fund through the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in addition to investment from the county council and Stafford Borough Council.
It forms part of the wider long-term regeneration of the Shire Hall and will also complement plans to repurpose and redevelop land occupied by vacant buildings – including the former magistrates court and county council's own Wedgwood Building – off Eastgate Street.
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LEP chairman Alun Rogers said: "The former library space in the Shire Hall provides an ideal space for small businesses and support the town centre economy, particularly as it recovers from the pandemic period. It is a priority to the LEP to support small businesses and ensure they can operate in the right environment to enable them to thrive.
"Transforming the vacant space at the Shire Hall into an entrepreneurial and collaboration hub is ideal and we look forward to working with our partners to bring it to life."
Frances Beatty, cabinet member for economic development and planning at Stafford Borough Council, added: "We're pleased to see the renovation of the Shire Hall progressing well and ready for the summer opening. This will be a centrepiece for the renaissance of popular community events and gatherings in the Market Square and indeed across the town."
Any businesses wanting more information about unit costs and availability, or to arrange a viewing, should contact centre administrator Susan Semple at susan.semple@staffordshire.gov.uk or 01785 226415.