WORK on a revolutionary £2.8million office complex in Bacup is coming to a climax with the project both on time and within budget.

The doors to the Kingfisher Centre at Futures Park, Newchurch Road, are due to open early in May and the team behind the complex is confident that everything is on course.

The development is set to be one of the most ambitious business building projects that has been seen in East Lancashire for years.

The completed centre will be owned by the council and managed by Kingfisher.

The main attraction of the development is that it is within easy access to the motorway network and, unlike a city centre complex it, comes with the benefit of fresh air, space to park and wonderful views.

Kingfisher's John Calway, the brains behind the development, said: "We are only weeks away from the hand-over and everything is taking shape.

"Since construction started last summer, we have held regular meetings to discuss progress with builders from Eric Wright Construction and they remain confident that they will be able to deliver the project on time."

Siting a multi-million-pound, state-of-the-art office complex in Bacup is a first for the town and the initial announcement raised a few eyebrows.

But the 30,000 sq ft development is now a major focal point, situated off the main road running from Bacup to Stacksteads. It will provide 50 managed offices, each with broadband connectivity and there will also be conference and meeting facilities.

When full, the centre will bring over 150 jobs to the area. At this stage 10 of the units have been taken and further inquiries are in the pipeline.

Funding for the centre, which is sited on a former mill in the Lee Mill area, has been provided by the Northwest Development Agency, the European Regional Development Fund and Rossendale Borough Council.

The centre is being built by Preston-based Eric Wright Construction and the official opening celebration is planned for June.

Businesses who would like to know more about the Kingfisher Centre at Futures Park should contact Jayne Boyd on 01706 606000.