ENTREPRENEUR and local councillor Richard Doyle, who in 2004 sold one of North Yorkshire's biggest IT businesses, is to launch his own serviced office venture in Boroughbridge next month, which could lure 28 jobs to the town.

His Boon Business Centre, at the former lodge at Boroughbridge Hall, which he owns, will make a big change from the £28 million turnover Esteem Systems plc, based at sleek £1 million headquarters in Thorp Arch, Wetherby, the 100-staff business he founded, built up, then sold in a management buy-out.

Boon Business Centre, which if successful will be replicated elsewhere, will open in mid-February, with eight office suites, all serviced by a central administration and a secretary.

Since the buy-out, Mr Doyle has been voluntarily shaping Boroughbridge's website to better promote the town. "Having retired and immersed myself in the voluntary sector for 18 months, I now have a renewed enthusiasm for commercial ventures," he said.

His centre will be targeted at the quality end of the serviced office market, with three-month rolling contracts, and at prices which include parking, light, heating, water and business rates, a staffed reception, message taking, furniture, kitchen facilities, insurance and cleaning.

He said he was "completely sold" on the concept of serviced offices. "We used them at Esteem as a simple, low-cost and minimal risk way to get established in new regions.

"In fact, it was while looking for a serviced office for myself, as a base for evaluating new opportunities, that the idea occurred to me to open one in a property I owned in Boroughbridge."

Boon Business Centre will also offer "virtual" offices to operators who are able to work effectively from home, offering meeting facilities, the credibility of an office address and a telephone answering service.

Anyone interested can phone him on 01423 326446.