Chamber’s property business barometer rising

Halton could be turning the corner on the worst recession for many years, according to Halton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise.

Occupancy rates at the Chamber’s three managed office and workshop complexes in Widnes and Runcorn are rising, thanks to the launch of several new businesses and the expansion of existing ones.

Halton Chamber’s executive vice chair, Eric Hudson, explained: “The Chamber manages more than 130 office and workshop units at both the Waterloo Business Centre and Moor Lane in Widnes and Percival Lane in Runcorn. The occupancy rates can act as a barometer for the general state of health of the local business community.

“Many companies and small businesses were struggling from the effects of the recession in 2009 and for a large part of the year we were losing tenants. But from autumn onwards the situation has definitely been improving. We now have several new tenants and the number of empty units is steadily diminishing.”

The offices and workshops are managed by the Chamber specifically to provide cost-effective, flexible accommodation for small businesses and licences can be arranged on a month-by-month basis. Prices for the units start at only £99 per month for a small unit at Moor Lane and £270 for a self-contained workshop at the purpose-built Percival Lane estate.

For further information, please contact Diane Carroll at Moor Lane Business Centre, Widnes. Tel 0151 423 6606. Email dianec@haltonchamber.com.