Work underway on Rookhope Business Centre

Work has begun to transform a former school into a business hub for rural communities.

Left to right, Cllr John Shuttleworth, Nicki Downey, Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Kathryn Lowe Oliver, Christian Pape (business property director at Business Durham).

Business Durham, the business support service for Durham County Council, has started work to refurbish the former Rookhope Primary School and turn it into business units.

Due to open in the summer, the revitalised building aims to create more opportunities for businesses in the Dales by offering five units for office and workspaces.

There will also be two community rooms - one with capacity for training and a smaller room for hot desking – as well as a kitchen and the potential to create a small library or book swap area for community use.

When open, the centre will be managed by Business Durham and has the potential to create up to 20 new jobs.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We’re pleased to have started work to create a business hub for Rookhope and the wider Durham Dales, ensuring the former school building continues to be utilised in a way that benefits the community.

“With a shortage of commercial units across the county, this development will not only support up to five businesses but also create valuable employment in the area. And partnered with the recent approval of the Weardale Lithium scheme, these two projects have the potential to create local jobs for those living in rural areas.”

Managing the new business centre will be Kathryn Lowe-Oliver and Nicky Downey, Dales Centre supervisors at Business Durham.

For Kathryn, being able to play a key part in the Rookhope Business Centre is an exciting opportunity to be part of the future of the building she has a strong link to.

Born in Rookhope, Kathryn attended the primary school where her mother was secretary for 30 years. Her son also attended the school before its closure.

Cllr John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural communities, community safety, and highways, said: “Kathryn and Nicky already play an important role in supporting the Dales community. Having Kathryn as one of the new centre’s managers is the start of what we hope is a long line of local people being given the opportunities and jobs which allow them to work in the areas in which they live. Nicky and Kathryn already have an established link to the Dales community, which will help new and existing rural businesses gain the right support to grow and develop.”

Businesses and organisations can now register their interest in the business units by visiting www.businessdurham.co.uk