FOUR extra units built at a cost of �770,000 form part of Enterprise Space, phase two of the South Fens Business Centre at Chatteris which opened today.

Meanwhile work is also under way on a third phase.

Fenland Council Leader Alan Melton said: “One of the main aims set out in the big vision for Fenland over the next 20 years is to support and encourage economic growth and job creation and to broaden the local economy.

“Our business centres at South Fens and the Boathouse at Wisbech have a vital part to play in that by providing the sort of top quality facilities that will attract high quality manufacturing and research and development.”

He said the council’s aim is to attract new, high-quality knowledge-based companies into the district and help the local economy diversify from its traditional reliance on agriculture and food processing.

Serious interest in the new units has already been expressed by a variety of businesses.

Among those at today’s opening was George Bennett from the East of England Development Agency, Guy Mills and Dearbhla Lawson from Cambridgeshire County Council : the county has provided �200,000 and EEDA �220,000 towards the �770,000 cost.

Cllr Melton said Fenland Council would provide �410,000 towards phase three with �250,000 pledged by the county council and another �80,000 from Cambridgeshire Horizons.

Councillor Mathew Shuter, the county’s portfolio holder for enterprise, said expansion of South Fens “will give a further boost to the economy in this part of the county.”

Mr Bennett from EEDA said: their investment “will undoubtedly help to attract the new investment and extra skilled jobs that are vital for Fenland’s economic future and it will be a lasting legacy for the work of EEDA.”

Work on Phase three began on October 3, with a target completion date of mid-March.