An 'exciting' £3m office complex in Newtownards has been officially opened by the local council.

The Sketrick House development, located on the Jubilee Road, was designed to provide high quality office accommodation for ICT and service-based businesses, with conference, seminar, meeting and training rooms also integrated into the scheme.

Several companies have already relocated to the new centre, with more planning to move to new premises in the building in the coming months.

Owned and operated by Ards Business Centre, the building received investment from Ards Borough Council and the International Fund for Ireland.

The council says the centre will fill an identified gap in business accommodation in Ards.

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Business Centre Chief Executive Leslie Ross said: "Ards Business Centre has been operating two Business Parks for over 20 years and we identified the strategic need for new high quality office type accommodation from our ongoing engagement with new and existing businesses in the area,

"Sketrick House is the most exciting development of its kind in Newtownards for many years and Ards Business Centre is delighted to bring it to the market. The quality of the office space is unsurpassed and the conference, seminar and meeting rooms provide a comprehensive and compelling attraction for businesses," he added.

Councillor Angus Carson, Chairman of the Council's Development Committee, attended the official unveiling of the new office complex.

"The financial and commercial services sector is a very important part of our local economy in Ards, but until now the absence of high quality, contemporary office space was hindering the development of local businesses and, in some cases, meant we lost companies to the area," said Councillor Carson.

"For the council, supporting and part-funding the construction of Sketrick House, has been an integral part of our plans to ensure this important commercial sector has the opportunity to develop."

(PR/JM)