BRAND new high-quality workspaces in Chester are now open for business.

The new units at the Dee View Business Park have been opened by Cheshire West and Chester councillor Richard Beacham and City of Chester MP Chris Matheson in Bumpers Lane, Chester.

These units, rated 'excellent' by building assessors BREEAM, are available to the advanced manufacturing, technology and energy sectors for let.

The council had previously opened similar units in Winsford and Northwich in the last six months as part of its Support and Workspace project.

Cllr Beacham, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Growth at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "Bringing this project to fruition has required a great amount of effort and co-operation from a number of organisations.

"This partnership approach has resulted in these really impressive workspaces. The companies we are supporting range from one person operations to those trading internationally.

"By providing the business community with high quality workspaces, the council is achieving one of its aims to support local economic growth."

One of the businesses which has moved into one of the units is Jeffrey's Tonic, which uses authentic natural ingredients to make unique tonic syrups and flavoured tonic water.

Part-owner Steve Frehley said: "The business is growing. We are gaining listings in big retailers and this unit is the next step for us. It is going to be used for bottling, packaging and storage.

"We will need to take on sales staff to help promote the product and also on the manufacturing and packaging side.

"Retailers are recognising that we are offering something unique and the forecast for this year is very favourable. The unit is coming at perfect timing for us, and allows us to be ready for expansion.

"Investment from the council is exactly what's needed. Local Government has a massive part to play in helping small businesses grow and of course there are tax benefits from that. It makes a lot of sense to invest and help businesses to expand and provide employment."

Moments Candles Co. also occupies one of the units.

Its founder Helen McCue said: "We needed to move to a unit we were going to grow into and we found this and it is amazing. The support from the council has really helped us.

"The low running costs of the unit, with the solar panels, have given us an advantage and it has meant that we have been able to employ more people."

The units were built by MPH Construction.

Andy Roberts, director of MPH Construction Ltd, said: "We're particularly pleased this project went so well and continued our excellent working relationship with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Lovelock Mitchell Architects.

"Achieving the BREEAM excellent rating was the icing on the cake. We're all now working hard and looking forward to delivering the next phase of the scheme at Bumpers Lane for the authority later this year."

The Support and Workspace project has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, together with the Cheshire West and Chester Council's Property Reinvestment Programme.

Since February 2018, the Support and Workspace project has delivered fully funded workshops on a number of topics aimed at demystifying the subject and upskilling a business. Topics have included finance, marketing, branding, GDPR, procurement and social media.

The project has also targeted businesses in the manufacturing, technology and energy sectors with one to one support to develop and grow. To find out how to access this support, contact business@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

For enquiries regarding available premises, call 01606 271537 or 01244 977176, or visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/propertytolet.