A FORMER council rent office, which has stood empty for a number of years, has been transformed into a community hub.

The Hub has been set up by businessmen and brothers Dr Sanjeev Devgan and Raj Devgan on Proudfoot Drive, on the Woodhouse Estate, Bishop Auckland.

The brothers officially opened the centre, with the help of Bishop Auckland Mayor, councillor Colin Race, on Wednesday, November 12.

Their hope is the centre will give the area a boost and contribute to the continued regeneration of the estate.

The premises contain a series of new businesses, including a cafe, baby clothes shop, laundrette, beauty salon, tanning booths, craft shop, dog grooming and a florist.

Dr Devgan said: “It was the old council rent office, which had been closed for several years. It was going to rack and ruin so we bought it off the council with the view to turn it into a community hub.”

Mr Devgan said: “We wanted to provide things for the community that they don’t have. For example a laundrette was a dying trade but we thought it was needed for the area.

All the businesses are newly set-up and the brothers have one more unit available to anyone keen to get involved. More than a dozen people have been employed.

Mr Devgan added: “They have all been set up specifically for the centre so we have created employment. We have been in Bishop Auckland since 1969 and we have been in business for 18 years and we have seen the changes.

“It has become a nice, respectable place. It is not what people think. We are just helping with the regeneration of the area and this is open to everyone and we hope people come and get involved.

“We have one unit left. Anyone who feels they can contribute to the community should come and talk to us.”

Cllr Race, who represents the Woodhouse Close Estate, said: “I am all for The Hub and I am right behind what they are doing.

“They are encouraging people to take a chance and helping get them started. It is also creating jobs for the area, which is fantastic. They are making the place better.”