One of Europe's largest providers of fully-serviced business centres has announced plans to locate more than 20,000 square feet of office space at Belfast's Clarendon Dock. Regus, which has 200 centres around the world, provides fully-equipped and supported offices on flexible leases. Leaders of the city's business community, who met Regus representatives last week, welcomed the proposals. Investment Belfast, the public/private partnership set up in February by Belfast City Council, and which was largely responsible for attracting Regus to the city, said the company's arrival is a sign that Belfast is a place where the international community is keen to do business.

"This facility is the latest addition to the city's infrastructure," said the council's chief executive, Mr Brendan Mullan. "And it greatly enhances its ability to compete for investment and service the needs of the business community."

Regus business development manager Mr Gerry Carter said the decision to set up in Belfast was a response to growing demand.

"The fact that we are here speaks for itself," he said. "I extend an invitation to all businesses to visit our Clarendon Dock premises to see how we have brought people, property and technology together to provide flexible work solutions for fast-moving businesses."