Bridge House in Long Eaton turned into business centre

Bridge House, on Derby Road, had been empty for more than four years

Disused council offices are being turned into a centre for small and new businesses.

Bridge House in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, will also be used as offices for Erewash Partnership, a non-profit organisation which supports businesses.

The building, on Derby Road, is owned by Erewash Borough Council but has been leased to Erewash Partnership.

Alteration work to the site began this week and businesses will be able to move in from June.

The premises, which have been empty for more than four years, will have space for 14 "office suites".

Failed to sell

Ian Viles, Erewash Partnership's chief executive, said: "We are excited by this development at Bridge House, for which we have had a high level of interest, with over half of the space already provisionally let."

The council tried to sell the building, but a report said this had "failed due to current market conditions".

The council also considered turning it into housing, but said it felt that "at the present time it is important to maintain the site for employment" in line with a council strategy to promote growth and reduce unemployment.

The Erewash Partnership team already manages small and start-up business units at Castledine House in Ilkeston, a Victorian building renovated to create offices.