BUILDING of a new business centre is today under way following an official turf cutting ceremony.The ceremony at Ransomes Europark was one of the first engagements for new Ipswich mayor David Hale.

BUILDING of a new business centre is today under way following an official turf cutting ceremony.

The ceremony at Ransomes Europark was one of the first engagements for new Ipswich mayor David Hale.

Basepoint plc invited the mayor to join in early celebrations to mark the start of work on its latest purpose-built centre.

The new 3,000 square metre building will provide a choice of 93 self-contained units ranging in size from 10 to 300 square metres.

The centre will be fully managed with a reception and a full range of business support provided.

Phil Stansfield, Basepoint Developments executive director, said:

“This is our twenty-second Basepoint centre and the first of several in the East of England, with Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge following on from Ipswich. We are excited to have chosen Ipswich as our first location in the region, especially with it being one of the UK's fastest growing urban areas.”

New mayor, Mr Hale, said: “We have some challenging targets for Ipswich in regards to housing and population growth over the next decade. By 2021 around 30,000 new jobs will be created, confirming Ipswich's place as the fastest growing regional centre in the East.

“To help us in achieving these targets, we welcome working with companies such as Basepoint. In this instance it means fresh investment into the town, the growth of existing businesses such as RG Carters through the construction of the centre and the birth of new enterprises within the centre itself.”

The new Basepoint business centre is expected to be up and running before the end of the year.