A NEW office development has been opened yards from Poole Quay.

Strata House was conceived by local property entrepreneurs David and Emma Stapleton, who said they were tired of poor quality office space and decided to do something about it.

The building was opened by the mayor of Poole at a launch event attended by local business people and London investors.

It consists of eight units of self-contained office suites for purchase or rent.

Each is designed to be flooded with natural light, with no columns, and to accommodate of up to 20 staff in an open plan space.

Businesses have the opportunity to buy an office freehold, giving them the chance to control their futures and their overheads as well as to adapt the space to their changing needs.

Funding for office purchases is available through conventional routes or through the use of SIPP (self-invested personal pension) funding.

Adam Covell, a partner at architectural firm Edward Covell, said at the opening: “What an accomplishment to get these offices up to such a high spec. I’m really amazed.”

Peter Eales, of Silicon Beach Business Angels, said: “The offices are spacious, modern and light which seems to have a positive effect on my colleagues in the offices there.”

Mark Whittaker, formerly managing director at UBS and now a venture capitalist and business angel, said: “Strata offers the sort of quality that you might expect to find in a London HQ, but not in Dorset.

“I like the offices so much I am buying one as an investment.”

Strata House invited Dorset food and wine producers to the opening, including English Oak Vineyard, British Fine Foods, Chesil Smokery, Creative Cakes by Nicki and Quality Hampers and Gifts.