Pictured above: Centre manager Rachel Alger, and development director at Blueprint Peter Connolly

The Derwent Business Centre in Derby has attracted six new tenants thanks to a host of improvements in a £100,000 investment programme by the building's owners. 

New Business Ventures, Derby Immigration Aid, and Scitek Consultants are new occupants of the converted Victorian warehouse. Meanwhile, Dataphone, New Hampshire Digital Services and Creative Senator have set up virtual tenancies, allowing them to work remotely from a real business address. 

New Business Ventures, which is part of Business Link, consists of four people who help start up companies and give advice. Derby Immigration Aid is currently a one-person operation that gives advice on immigration. Both companies have taken 304 sq ft units.

Scitek Consultants, who offer quality-engineering solutions, employ around ten people at present. They are occupying a 1672 sq ft unit while they are having their own new premises built. 

The centre offers space from 300 to 1,800 square feet, and improvements have included replacing the building's outdated heating and lighting system with new, energy-efficient systems plus a facelift for the spectacular vaulted reception area.

Sustainable developer Blueprint has invested continually in the converted railway warehouse since it was acquired five years ago. The Victorian building is part of Blueprints £19 million investment portfolio, which includes properties across Derby and Derbyshire.

"The new improvements have been fantastic," says centre manager Rachel Alger. "I am now planning to refurbish the remaining vacant units, and to upgrade the boardroom, reception and break out areas.

"We are also continuing to work towards our energy goals, and have had an environmental strategy review carried out by consultant engineers ARUP."

Artist Juliet Hemingray, who is based at the centre, has contributed to the décor by producing a selection of black and white photographs that are now on display on level two. Blueprint has also commissioned Juliet to paint a series of railway and Derby themed paintings for "the street" level. 

Community spirit among tenants is continuing to grow thanks to monthly meetings and charity events. The building recently hosted a Macmillan Coffee morning, in which all the tenants helped by contributing donations and raffle prizes, and over 350 raffle tickets were sold. 

Peter Connolly, development director at Blueprint, said: "It is great to see the Derwent Business Centre making its mark on Derby and becoming a creative and growing hub for local businesses. 

"Derby has always been an important place for business, and we're committed to investing in existing properties such as the Derwent Business Centre, as well as exciting new ventures like Sadler Square, our other development in the city."

A public-private partnership, Blueprint is best known for major urban regeneration projects such as Nottingham Science Park and Phoenix Square digital media centre in Leicester, but it also owns property across the East Midlands, much of it in the Derby area.