BRACKNELL Forest Council have signed a lease to transform the former council office building into a new business hub.

Bracknell Forest Council have rented their former council building, Easthampstead House to The Bracknell Project Ltd. The building will be redesigned, and space will be made for over 35 new businesses.

Councillor Marc Brunel-Walker, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to find an alternative use for Easthampstead House.

“I'm even more pleased that it will bring more than 100 additional jobs to the town centre and will help lots of small and upcoming businesses find their feet.”

The Bracknell Project Ltd is part of the This is Projekt Ltd group, who provide affordable studio and office space for new creative and artistic businesses.

Easthampstead House is the first site to receive the expansion from Projekt Ltd, the building was originally going to be demolished.

The expansion will provide the opportunity for new and upcoming business to develop their ideas, which the council believe is important.

Nick Hartwright, CEO of projekt, added: “This is an incredibly exciting project and a perfect example of how modern regeneration should be carried out.

“We’re going to engage with existing and new Bracknell entrepreneurs and creative businesses and we’re going to bring new enterprises to the area.

“Everyone will benefit, and together, I’m sure we’ll create a real buzz and nurture some great new business.”

The work will begin in the new year, January 2019 and the lease has been agreed for a five-year period.