WORK has begun on a �770,000 expansion of the South Fens Business Centre at Chatteris.

The start of the project was commemorated with a traditional sod cutting ceremony attended by representatives of the partnerships that has enabled the project to go ahead.

The site will accommodate four new business units with potential for more to be added in the future.

Councillor Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council’s ‘Open for Business’ portfolio holder, said: “These extra units will undoubtedly help us attract more high-value businesses to Fenland and encourage the growth of more skilled jobs here - things that are vital for Fenland’s economic success in the future.”

Alex Francis, EEDA’s Area Director for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “EEDA has always had a strong focus on supporting business and creating jobs.

“We invested in the original South Fens business centre, which has proved very popular, and so we are pleased to be able to help enable the council to start the next phase. The project complements the Fenland Engineering Skills Centre nearby, which also received funding from EEDA.”

Of the �770,000 been invested in the scheme �350,000 came from Fenland District Council, �220,000 from EEDA and �200,000 from Cambridgeshire County Council.

Councillor Alan Melton, leader of Fenland Council said: “The 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.”