A BUSINESS centre in Colchester is expanding with several firms taking on more staff.

The Colchester Business Centre, in Hawkins Road, opened in 2008 and offers businesses office space.

The boom for businesses who use the facility comes as new findings by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research suggest the economy is growing again.

Simon Robinson, of SAS Accounting, said: “We are getting busier and are taking on more clients.

“I’ve had a 60 per cent increase in business since this time last year.

“I’ve taken on two ladies part-time who are doing bookkeeping and payroll, so I’ve had to move into a bigger office.”

Eric Sigsworth of Colchester Press, said larger companies are starting to increase orders.

He said: “After the credit crunch people started to reduce their orders, but things are certainly on the way up.

“Since Christmas, we have been asked to give 25 per cent more quotations than this time last year.”

Tim Hearne, who started Thyme Building Consultancy, said he noticed a greater demand for his services and is also taking on an assistant and has also moved into a larger office.

Esca Recruitment Agency began in a two-man office at the centre six months ago.

It has already doubled in size, said owner Craig Tomlinson.

He said: “I am already expanding and I amaiming to fulfil recruitment for all areas of construction for trade and labour.”

Craig’s brother Carl, 26, has been doing his administrative work and Esca is now taking on two apprentices through the national apprenticeship scheme to help with the increased workload.

Denise Gillmore established Athena Recruitment in August 2014 in a room at her home but after three months of rapid growth she had to hire an office at the centre.

She said: “Near the election things slowed down as clients weren’t sure what would happen, but I have more jobs than candidates to fill them.

“People aren’t frightened to take on new workers, which shows that things are improving in the economy."

Mrs Gillmore is also looking for another recruitment consultant to join her company.

Stuart Simpson, 27, is one of those lucky enough to get one of the new jobs at the centre.

He joined Athena Recruitment in May after working as an estate agent.

He started in a part-time marketing role, but became a senior recruitment consultant as the firm, launched last year, had so much business coming in.

Stuart, from Colchester, said: “Recruitment was a new post to me although estate agency has similar aspects.

“It is finding people jobs rather than houses.

“I am studying via distance learning at the moment and I needed a position that was going to be flexible to my needs.“ ! See page 13 for more good news for local businesses.