A good neighbour would be expected

5:22pm Wednesday 2nd May 2007

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WHOEVER takes over the Great Hall will have to be a good neighbour to the other people occupying the Legacy Business Centre, which is being completed on three floors of the old town hall building.

Guy Davis of Hiltongrove Business Space, who is resposible for it, is thrilled that he has had the opportunity to create attractive offices in rooms which he describes as "beautifully proportioned".

A great deal of money has gone into restoring the 28 spaces to their original beauty with plenty of space, high ceilings and lovely decoration.

The first few tenants have already moved in - two of them are theatrical companies and another an enterprise company which gives advice to small businesses.

"Architects, lawyers, almost any small business will benefit from a place which is close to transport hubs and in an area close to the Olympics development," said Mr Davis.

"The clue to the sort of businesses we want to attract is in the name, Legacy Business Centre. We want to offer opportunities for aspiring business people who can be involved in regeneration.

"We have spaces ranging in size from 140sq ft to 1,800sq ft, which is about a quarter of the size of the Great Hall."

Mr Davis's enthusiasm for the project spills over again when he describes the biggest unit, the beautiful old council chamber.

But there will be nothing old about the up-to-date facilities provided for the users who will also have access to the restaurant and coffee shop on the ground floor.

Though the work has cost millions, Mr Davis and his partner in the LMO development, Michael Polledri, enjoy a laugh over a small saving of £40.

That's what it would have cost them to replace the doormat at the entrance. But the original is printed with the initials of Leyton Borough Council - and LBC just happens to stand for Legacy Business Centre as well.

l For more information on the offices, visit www.hiltongrove.org.