Work has started on the £5m refurbishment of a Cheshire business centre that is home to more than 40 companies. Tony McDonough reports

Wire Regeneration has started work on the £5m refurbishment of St James Business Centre in Warrington.

Home to more than 40 companies, the project will see the creation of a new entrance on Wilderspool Causeway and a raft of improvements, including new co-working space, a coffee shop, meeting rooms and enhanced facilities for tenants.

A refurbished atrium and a new glazed lift are also included, alongside improved outdoor space for access to the coffee shop. Designed by Seven Architects, the work is expected to take a year.

Once finished the centre will be rebranded as Warrington Digital Hub. Wire Regeneration is a joint venture between Warrington Council and property firm Langtree.

Steve Park, director of growth at the council, said: “St James Business Centre has always been a home for ambitious SMEs and our investment aims to reinforce that, while attracting the latest generation of tech-led start-ups to Warrington.”

Wire Regeneration is working closely with the parish authorities at neighbouring St James’s Church to ensure that the new building and surrounding landscaping sit well alongside one another.

Jayne Furnival, group property director at Langtree, added: “Our vision is to create an environment where new technologies and ideas can be tested and refined.

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“We’ll be delivering contemporary and creative facilities that will support networking and collaboration, key ingredients in driving innovation.

“The development is part of wider ambitions for Warrington’s Southern Gateway, of which St James’s Church is a prominent landmark, and we’re pleased with the dialogue that we have established with the parish.”

First phase of the new facility was opened in November last year with the launch of a new Digital Suite for the University of Chester. It operates technology from the Hydra Foundation to train blue light personnel in the management of critical incidents.