A STAR from The Apprentice is returning to her home town of Long Eaton to launch a project that has breathed new life into an office building.
Saira Khan, a runner-up in the first series of the show, will officially open Bridge House, refurbished by enterprise agency Erewash Partnership next month.
The organisation has made its new headquarters at the building on the corner of Derby Road and Cranmer Street.
The office block in the centre of the town had been disused and empty for several years.
The best part of £60,000 has been spent on refurbishment and a lease has been agreed with Erewash Borough Council.
It has been converted to provide a range of new office suites for small businesses and start-up enterprises.
There are 12 office suites for businesses at Bridge House, all but two of which have been let on easy in, easy out terms.
Businesses that have already moved into the building include Upskill Assessment and Training and Intelligent Financial Advice. Local architect Alan McGowan is also planning a move to Bridge House.
Partnership chief executive Ian Viles said: "We are pleased that most of the suites have already been let, particularly as we have not even marketed them.
"We are delighted to be based here in our new offices in Long Eaton.
"This is expansion. We are spreading our wings to provide more support and services to businesses here while still maintaining a strong presence in Ilkeston."
A room has been reserved for seminars and training sessions and will be available for hire.
There are new kitchens and toilets, including facilities for people with disabilities and even a shower for people who may wish to run or cycle to work.
Shower facilities have been subsidised through a grant from the sustainable travel team at Derbyshire County Council.
It will get its official launch on Friday, October 17.
Later that evening, Ms Khan, co-host of The Martin Lewis Money Show, will be the guest of honour at an Erewash Partnership dinner at Trent College, in Long Eaton, to mark 20 years of the organisation's work with enterprise.
She will also present awards to businesses to mark the anniversary with around 30 organisations nominated for five main categories.
The Bridge House developments comes hot on the heels of the partnership setting up a new base in Castledine House, Heanor Road, Ilkeston. A Victorian building renovated in 2010, it now has office suites for start-up and small enterprises as well as in-house advice and coaching.
The partnership will also be delivering part of its own enterprise support programme from Derby College's new Ilkeston premises in Pimlico, aimed at people becoming self-employed or setting up businesses.
