Crichiebank Business Centre Reaches Final of Council Design Awards

The Crichiebank Business Centre, which is owned and managed by Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise), has reached the last phase of the judging process in the Aberdeenshire Council Design Awards 2006. The Inverurie based business centre, opened by Enterprise in September 2005, has been short listed for three categories in the awards: business, conservation and sustainability.

Enterprise will find out if Crichiebank Business Centre has won an award at the Awards Ceremony on Thursday 7^th September at the Peatyards, Haddo House near Methlick.

The Biennial Design Award scheme was introduced to raise the profile of good design in the context of the Aberdeenshire Council local plan 1997. The Awards identify local examples of good design and are considered a cost effective means of obtaining a benchmark for the quality of current development projects and the effectiveness of the development control process.

The Crichiebank Business Centre is Enterprises’ latest addition to its growing portfolio of serviced office accommodation in the north east. Enterprise currently own and manage centres in the Aberdeen, Huntly, Ellon, Peterhead, Banff, Westhill, Inverness and Thainstone areas. The Crichiebank Business Centre was nominated for the awards by architects Jenkins & Marr, who were responsible for designing the office accommodation. The business centre comprises the original Crichiebank House linked to the new complex by a modern glass frontage which leads into twenty one state-of-the-art office suites.

Karen Pugh, Director of Property Services of Enterprise North East Trust says, "The Crichiebank Business Centre was designed to enhance the existing business centre facilities available at Thainstone, where office accommodation has been offered for businesses since 1995. Reaching the final stage of the judging process in the Aberdeenshire Council Design Awards is a fantastic achievement, as they commend buildings that are not only examples of good design but also recognise and promote sound sustainable development.

"We are incredibly proud of the Crichiebank Business Centre; it is quite a remarkable building as its design strikes a unique balance between the traditional and the contemporary. The building incorporates Crichiebank House, a majestic structure with turret and red brick exterior. The new complex is linked to the house by a modern glass frontage and is surrounded by the stunning Aberdeenshire countryside. Demand for office space in the Crichiebank Business Centre is high, with occupancy rates currently sitting at 100%.

"Enterprise strive to provide businesses with the support they need to grow and develop from beyond their first year and business centres such as Crichiebank play a pivotal part in the development of these businesses. The Crichiebank Business Centre offers flexible office space to suit individual client requirements at an all inclusive monthly fee. This includes rent, electricity, cleaning, fire and security alarms plus the use of communal areas and telephone answering in your company name. We look forward to attending the Award’s Ceremony on 7 September."

All nominated schemes in the Aberdeenshire Council Design Awards are judged by a panel consisting of five external professional advisers, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Infrastructure Services Committee and the Director of Planning and Environment. The award scheme assesses the strength of council policies in the six distinct categories of business, conservation, craftsmanship, landscaping, housing and sustainability.

To find out more about the Crichiebank Business Centre call Enterprise Director of Property Services Karen Pugh on 01467 672530 or email Karen.pugh@enetrust.com.

Ends

Picture Caption: Karen Pugh, Director of Property Services of Enterprise North East Trust.

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Laura Cox
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