HAMPSHIRE’S newest business and enterprise centre is welcoming new tenants.

Acorn Business Park is owned by the West Itchen Community Trust, a Southampton-based social enterprise, committed to regenerating the centre of the city.

The Trust has owned the business park since 2004, launching a number of successful businesses over that time, but the Trust’s bosses knew it needed updating.

Demolition began in 2014, with West Itchen Community Trust committing £1.5m to build a state-of-the-art new business park with high quality accommodation suitable to business needs of the 21st century.

The original 12 turn of the century buildings (built as residential houses) and four garage units, have now been replaced with 30 brand new units which include a variety of light industrial workshops with high ceilings, standard height workshops, workshops with mezzanine floors and first floor offices, with a lift for accessibility.

The site boasts superfast broadband, ample free parking, a bicycle park and showers.

The site was officially re-opened by Leader of Southampton City Council, Cllr Simon Letts, and the chair of West Itchen Community Trust, Reginald Ruel.

Cllr Letts said: “As a local authority it is important for us to support ventures such as the redevelopment of the Acorn Business Park.

"Awarding a £386,000 capital grant to the scheme helped them to cover some of the costs of getting the project under way.

“The new start-up and small businesses that will occupy the units in the centre will benefit the local economy and the jobs market, which made it an easy decision to award the grant to the West Itchen Community Trust.

"We’re looking forward to seeing new companies coming in to the area and the opportunities that they’ll bring with them.”

By the time of the re-launch, the park already had three tenants in place and three new businesses ready to take up tenancies.

Property manager Suzanne Longhurst said: “The units are flexible and preferable to small businesses and new start-ups.

"They’re for office space or industrial use – whether print companies, warehousing needs, artists.”