BUSINESSES can now get an instant check on-line on what commercial land and property is up for grabs in the Suffolk Coastal area.The new web page service is in its early days, but those behind the project hope it can be expanded to become countywide and become an asset for companies.

BUSINESSES can now get an instant check on-line on what commercial land and property is up for grabs in the Suffolk Coastal area.

The new web page service is in its early days, but those behind the project hope it can be expanded to become countywide and become an asset for companies.

The on-line database can be accessed at: www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/ecodev/commercialprop/default.asp or via a link from the Suffolk Coastal web site business pages at www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/business/

The database features commercial premises in Suffolk Coastal, with each entry containing information about the site, often including a photograph, together with its location details and the name of the agent.

It includes information on shops, retail units, offices, serviced offices, managed workspaces, manufacturing units and warehouses, as well as greenfield and brownfield development sites.

To make it as useful as possible, users can search the new site in a number of different ways, depending on their specific needs, and the information is updated regularly and caters for businesses of all sizes and types.

Nigel Barratt, chairman of Suffolk Coastal's economic development sub committee and the Suffolk Development Agency said: "Suffolk Coastal believes strongly in providing joined up government and in enhancing its service to the business community.

"We are proud that we are one of the first to develop our own comprehensive property database and to make this available into this Suffolk-wide database.

"It provides a significant tool for helping to attract and retain Inward Investment for the District.

"With more and more people finding out that Suffolk Coastal is a great place to live, work and play, this website is a real asset for the business sector."

For businesses in the Suffolk Coastal area, the business section of the council's web site contains a wide range of useful information including details of grants and financial assistance, shipping opportunities, the Suffolk Coastal Business Forum, as well as links to other useful business related web sites.