Allison Sweeney, centre manager at The Base, receives the key to the new centre

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A new business centre is poised to help more than 70 enterprises and create dozens of jobs.

Basepoint Business Centres held a "key handover" ceremony at The Base, Dartford, yesterday.

The 30,000 sq ft building is the company's fifth business centre in Kent and Medway - others are in Chatham Historic Dockyard, Canterbury and Folkestone - and was created in partnership with the soon-to-be-wound-up South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

Funding came from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to help regenerate the Northern Gateway West area of Dartford town centre.

The Base offers managed workspace, including offices and studio workshops for up to 75 businesses, and is already nearly 40 per cent let.

Jonathan Sadler, development director for Thames Gateway SEEDA, said: "Its unique and sustainable working space will attract further local businesses and entrepreneurs to the area and boost the attractiveness of Dartford for future investment opportunities.

"This will provide much-needed support for the growth of the local economy."

Centre manager Allison Sweeney, who accepted the keys from Bob Harrington, chairman of construction company R G Carter which built the centre, added: "We hope to create a hub for local entrepreneurs and encourage the business community in the area to grow even further by offering regular networking events and support groups."