A LANDMARK development on the outskirts of Weston is just weeks away from opening – and could revolutionise the way the town’s small firms conduct their business.

The Hive, located in the Weston Business Quarter on the town’s former airfield site, this week saw scaffolding removed as building work nears completion.

It is due to open in May, and will transform Weston’s small business landscape by offering a diverse ‘work hub’ and an affordable ‘express business lounge’.

The building – operated by North Somerset Enterprise Agency – will provide a range of support and services for new and small businesses, but it is the express business lounge which will excite many such firms.

It will give firms who either cannot afford or who do not need expensive, full-time premises of their own the chance to rent space in a high-quality business environment by the day, or even by the hour.

And with prices of just £20 a day or £3 an hour, it puts the facilities within the budget of any Weston firm.

Enterprise agency chief executive Angela Hicks said: “We have been working towards the delivery of this modern and eco-friendly managed workspace for many years, so finally seeing the building standing in all its glory and being able to gradually unveil the unique package of facilities and services that we will soon be offering to local businesses is an exciting milestone.

“Our aim is to give businesses based with us every opportunity for growth and to do so within a building of which we can all be proud.

“With handover now just weeks away, we are enjoying putting final plans in place to make The Hive a highly desirable space to do business, enjoy business advice, training and networking opportunities, and to meet and share experiences and contact with other start-up and growing businesses, both for our tenants and for all firms in the local area.

“We already have a number of events booked to take place in The Hive and the countdown to opening will begin as soon as we receive handover.

“We are moving towards an exciting new era for businesses looking to start and grow in North Somerset and The Hive is set to be the place where all the support and facilities that a business needs are available under one roof.

“We are very excited about its potential impact.”