A BUSINESS development centre is set to open at the former Argos store in the Kidderminster's Swan Centre later this month to help fledgling firms.

Pop Up Central opens on August 29 and will offer budding businesses and entrepreneurs a space to work by offering units and office space at a low cost.

The scheme has seen Kidderminster pub owner Adam Wilcox team up with bosses at the shopping centre to make the project a reality and it is hoped the centre will provide a vital boost to the town's economy during the post-coronavirus recovery.

Adam said: "It's a business development space for new and upcoming businesses to be able to get on the ladder.

"The centre is designed to help new and growing businesses and offer the space and opportunity to build their business with super low costs, without the worry of utility costs and business rates."

Five units at the front of the building will open at the end of August, with a further 10 units set to open at the rear of the building on September 26.

Letting is available for one, two and three-month occupation while, in a bid to help businesses, there are no utility costs or business rates. Tenants will only have to pay rent and their own public liability insurance.

The project was initially planned as a market, but has now developed into a business centre to help new and growing firms develop in a bid to rejuvenate the local economy.

A number of business owners are already signed up and are set to begin moving in next week.

Work is now being carried out around the clock as the former Argos store is transformed to Pop Up Central, which will be open on Mondays to Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.

Any businesses interested in moving in to Pop Up Central should email the team to arrange a viewing at enquiries@popupcentral.co.uk.