Columnist

The Eco Centre business hub benefits from five-figure investment

A five-figure upgrade has proved a breath of fresh air and a major boost to the ambitions of a North East business centre which was once the most environmentally-friendly building in Europe - and remains one of its ‘greenest’ two decades later.

The Eco Centre business hub, at Hebburn, South Tyneside, has installed a new high-tech heating system that sucks in outside air and turns it into heat – no matter what the weather.

It replaces a previously state-of-the-art underground water-based heat pump put in place for the highly progressive centre’s heralded opening in 1996.

Despite an upsurge in the development of ‘green’ buildings since, the switch will ensure it will remain one of the Continent’s most sustainable premises for years to come.

It is among a range of improvements to the remodelled centre, which is home to thriving and growing businesses - and which now aims to attract even more.

Owned by communities’ charity Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle (STAN), which uses part of the building as its headquarters, it has also revamped its two business meeting rooms, reception area and other facilities.

The work coincides with Groundwork gaining the ISO 14001 standard, a national management mark for how organisations minimise their impact on the environment in areas such as waste management and power usage.

Andrew Watts, Groundwork STAN’s Executive Director, said: “These outstanding improvements confirm The Eco Centre’s position as one of Europe’s most environmentally-friendly buildings, which is quite an achievement after almost 20 years.

“Our ‘green’ credentials are vital to us and form the basis of all we do. It was state-of-the-art when it opened and it remains so today, and I am very proud of that.

“These well thought out improvements will make the centre an even more attractive place for ambitious businesses to make their home. We are powering local businesses – and in all the right ways.

He added “The facilities are excellent yet affordable, and businesses based here know they are working in a green and clean environment, which is important to many and sets The Eco Centre apart.”

The Eco Centre’s revolutionary design set the standard in ‘green’ and renewable technology.

It is triangular in shape to make the most of the sun’s heat and light, and generates just half the CO2 of a typical office building.

And its atrium water feature ensures the air in the building is hydrated, while its 30m-high wind turbine – a well-known feature on Hebburn’s skyline - generates all its electricity.

Its central girder is made from three Metro rail lines, its roof entirely from resmelted aluminium drinks cans, and the toilets flush with rainwater collected from the roof.

Even the grey mat at its front door is made from recycled car tyres, while its exterior is decorated with recycled tennis court netting and old Ford Transit van clutch plates.

Office space in The Eco Centre can be rented from £93 a week plus VAT, while its meeting rooms, which can cater for up to 35 people, cost £110 a day.

To find out more about the Eco Centre visit www.eco-centre.co.uk or call the team on 0191 428 1144.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle .