BUSINESSES can now rent high-quality commercial space at flexible terms with the opening of a specialist facility.

Sir Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex was joined by councillors to open the Basepoint Centre in Haywards Heath on Friday, September 25.

The unit is designed to provide office and workshop space for growing businesses, and was built as a joint venture between Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council.

The centre's self-contained offices and workshops offer access to a shared reception, office services and meeting rooms.

It allows local businesses to use high quality space and keep running costs low, and it is intended to provide opportunities for networking with other firms and further business development.

Flexible terms make businesses licensees rather than formal tenants, with a minimum rental period of one month and two weeks' notice available for licensees.

Office space starts at £23 per sq ft, with the smallest two-person units costing in the region of £300 per month.

Mid Sussex District Council invested £1.33 million in the project, with West Sussex County Council which contributed £600,000.

The centre has been named John De Mierre House as a tribute to former councillor John De Mierre who died in 2013 and was instrumental in developing support for the centre. His widow Ruth and son Alex were in attendance.

Roxanne Haid, centre manager for Basepoint Haywards Heath, said: “It has been a fantastic start for the Centre which is an exceptional new facility. We have no doubt that the local business community will benefit from our ethos to support and nurture small, growing businesses.

“As well as the outstanding facilities at the Centre, we will be hosting networking events for licensees and the wider business community to encourage growth and prosperity in the area.”

Councillor Garry Wall, leader of Mid Sussex District Council said: “The district council is committed to supporting local businesses. Mid Sussex is highly entrepreneurial and this new centre will provide high quality, flexible space for growing businesses. Working with Basepoint, we have been able to deliver an excellent facility which offers 33 units; almost 70% of which are already occupied”.

For more information about securing a business starter unit in Haywards Heath call 01444 849250.