A networking group which has sites in Chorley and Poulton-le-Fylde is launching serviced offices in Leyland to help small business owners who don’t have their own premises.

The Leyland-based Business Evening Network (BEN) is due to open the In The Zone offices at Earnshaw Business Centre, Farington, Leyland, this week.

Business partners Martin Day and Mandy Cardwell, who run BEN, are the brains behind the initiative in a bid to create office space for small and start-up businesses which, they claim, is in demand.

BEN launched in Chorley and Leyland almost a year ago and now has almost 40 members – all local firms who network together for support and to pass on business.

A third BEN group has recently started in Poulton-le-Fylde.

Martin said: “There is a growing trend for ‘going it alone’ and setting up in business, but many people have to work from home at first until they can afford premises of their own.

“A lot of the people we speak to tell us they don’t like to invite clients to their home for a meeting and many also find it difficult to separate their work and home lives, so we felt there was a gap in the market.

“At In The Zone, businesses will be able to rent a desk in an open plan office for a weekly fee and some of our packages also include a professional telephone answering service.

"Our aim is to help local firms become more successful by creating the right impression for their clients.”

Prices start from £40 per week including utilities, car parking and broadband internet access.

For information contact Martin Day on 01772 644933.