LOCATION is key when it comes to business. And in the current challenging economic climate it’s never been more important to be in the right place with the right facilities to maximise every opportunity.

And that’s true of any business – from the sole trader to the region’s biggest players.

The North East offers a vast range of facilities, from high-tech laboratories and research and develop sites to offices, warehousing and business parks.

Despite tougher times, development has continued in the commercial property sector.

One success story has been the North East Technology Park, NETPark, at Sedgefield, which is paving the way for the growth in the sector.

The park has seen significant expansion over the last few years, and work is currently underway on a £6.5m extension which will see the addition of two new units at the site.

Each business unit within the park comprises laboratory space and office space. However, the park is able to adapt its space to meet the needs of its tenants.

The support network that businesses can tap into at NETPark is also proving to be a draw for fledgling science businesses.

As well as the NETPark Incubator, which is designed specifically for start up and spin-out technology companies, the science park is home to the UK’s flagship Printable Electronics Technology Centre (PETEC), a design, development and prototyping facility for the printable electronics industry.

Contractor Willmott Dixon is working alongside architect Deveraux to oversee the construction of the two, two-storey buildings.

The new buildings will feature renewable energy technology fitted into the roof area.

The park, which is run by County Durham Development Company, also has an innovation village – a community of five research and development pods – plus conferencing and meeting facilities.