COMPANIES wanting to run Warrington's new business incubator are being invited to tender for the work.

The £8.5million building, in the town centre, is set to be completed by June and ready to open in September.

Warrington Borough Council has appointed agents CBRE to assist in the procurement via The Chest of a managed workspace operator to manage the facility on Warrington Borough Council’s behalf.

The procurement process opened today, Monday, and applicants have a 10 day period in order to return a submission. It is intended that eight companies will be shortlisted and a decision made in April.

Companies interested should contact Alan Nottingham, associate director, CBRE on 0161 233 5651 or alan.nottingham@cbre.com.

The five storey building, which is now shaping up in the stadium quarter, will feature a café at ground floor level and offices and research and development facilities on the upper floors. Its contemporary look will be enhanced and accentuated by high quality stone and glass elevations and feature a double-height glazed entrance lobby.

Funding has come from a £1.7 million European Regional Development Fund grant and £6.7 million investment from Warrington Borough Council’s capital programme.

When the facility is operational it will be capable of supporting up to 100 small businesses.

Warrington & Co., Warrington’s partnership for growth are project managing the development.

A phased programme of development over the next decade will create up to 1,000 construction jobs and nearly 4000 new permanent jobs when fully completed in 2024.

Councillor Terry O’Neill, leader of Warrington Borough Council, said, ‘This is a tremendously exciting project and Warrington Borough Council is seeking a dynamic serviced office operator who can match and meet our ambitious expectations for this project.

"The Business Incubator will provide a first class base in which new businesses from the engineering and manufacturing sectors can develop and grow. Warrington’s local economy is doing tremendously well, as recognised in the recent Centre for Cities findings released only last week which placed Warrington up at the top in most categories including that of start up businesses."