Beverley has gone through a process of stunning change in recent years. And now the Beck area of the market town is in the final phase of its £3.5m regeneration.
Innovative plans are being proposed, and some are underway, to meet the shortfall and make Beverley more attractive to businesses.
Included in this is the refurbishment of a Grade II listed building in Eastgate in the heart of the town.
The property is being transformed by a new Hull-based construction company, Mitchell James Contractors Limited.
The £500,000 works will see a 5,000sq ft former bookshop and car garage renovated into a state-of-the-art office accommodation and contemporary apartments for PR company TAS Communications.
Director Jamie Dempster says he saw a gap in the market to offer a one-stop shop, specialising in the complete fit-out and refurbishment of commercial buildings.
He said: "We are committed to investing in the region and working with partners to transform some of the most derelict properties, and land earmarked for redevelopment, into flagship buildings and commercial properties, which will put the area on the map for many years to come.”
But this is not the only commercial offering in that part of town.
In addition to this refurbishment, the service station on Hull Road at the junction with Waterside Road, has been redeveloped and anchored by a Somerfield Convenience Store.
And commercial agents, Scotts Property, has just offered to the market the BeA Fastenings factory and the site also on Waterside Road.
This comprises about 40,000 sq ft or factory space on a significant site of 5.5 acres.
It is the only commercial operation accessed along a residential road.
And, it seems, other parts of Beverley may house much-needed office space.
In June 2006, designers drew up plans to house floating offices on Beverley Beck.
The specialist firm, Living River Limited, are still in the process of preparing detailed plans to submit for planning permission.
Officials at East Riding of Yorkshire Council are behind the idea. They would like to see more innovative commercial schemes in keeping with the area, that will bring life and jobs to Beverley.
Alan Menzies, assistant chief executive of economic development, said: "These schemes will provide quality office accommodation adjacent to and near the town center, where there is a shortage of quality office space. "The council welcomes these types of high quality development to meet currently unmet needs."
