A NEW business HQ which will provide support, services and even a home for dozens of firms across North Somerset has been handed over to the body which will run it.

North Somerset Enterprise Agency has been working for years to draw up and implement plans for its new base The Hive.

The building – located in the business quarter of the Weston Park development on the former airfield site – will open later this month.

Once fully operational, The Hive will support the launch, development and success of start-up and growing businesses with a range of backing from expert advisors.

Resources will include 20,000sq ft of rentable office space and communal facilities for between 40 and 60 tenant firms, plus virtual office services, hot desks and meeting rooms for non-tenants.

The Hive will also be an enterprise hub for local firms to do business, benefit from advice, support and training from the not-for-profit agency and be able to meet, share experiences and network with other businesses.

Agency chief executive Angela Hicks accepted the keys to an ‘exceptional’ building from contractor Pollard this week.

She said: “The handover of the keys for The Hive marks a momentous moment for business support in North Somerset.

“Now, businesses in the area have a building they can be proud to be part of, can become involved with and within which they can access all the advice and support they need to start-up and grow successfully.

“Once we have relocated our offices this week The Hive will be open for business, ahead of our official opening in July, and we greatly look forward to showing local companies the new facilities that are now on their doorstep.”

The development has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, alongside investment from the enterprise agency.

However, it represents unprecedented growth for the agency, which has already helped some 3,000 enterprises start up and 3,500 jobs to be created since it launched 25 years ago.

Designed to be energy efficient and sustainable, The Hive boasts solar panels, sustainable transport options including electric car charger and pool cycles, and is a source of pride to its designers, architects AWW.

AWW associate Ian Hunt said: “We are proud to be associated with this building which will help new businesses in the area to develop and grow.

“This has been a particularly satisfying project for us which we hope will help the local economy and will lead to the creation of many new jobs.”