ARENA Business Centres' latest £5 million development at Poole is on schedule to open at the end of March.

Construction of the Cabot Lane, Creekmoor centre began at the end of May 2004.

It will deliver 74 fully serviced offices, studios and workshops.

"We are extremely excited about Arena Business Centre's development," said Borough of Poole Economic Portfolio Holder Cllr Ron Parker.

"It represents a significant contribution to the economic development of Poole and will encourage outside investment to the area.

"In terms of the Poole economic regeneration programme the centre will certainly be a flagship project within this."

Arena Business Centres managing director Philip Wilson said: "We are presently talking to a number of local businesses about our Poole development, the centre has also attracted interest from outside the area including national and international companies.

"This latest centre adds to our growing portfolio, funding is in place to implement a high growth plan along the South Coast in the forthcoming years."

The new centre is due to be opened by Poole Mayor Cllr Les Burden with key members of the Borough, Dorset Business, Business Link, South West Regional Development Agency and Federation of Small Businesses in attendance.

It follows on from the launch of the Arena Business Centre in Nimrod Way, Ferndown.

Arena's serviced offices and workshops are targeting the growing market of small firms that want modern premises on short notice leases. Arena is aimed at the firms of 10 or fewer workers which collectively employ 90 per cent of people.