Stansted's newly opened business centre has welcomed its first client on board.

United Business Centres (UBC) opened in Endeavour House at Stansted in January, offering office space and business services to local companies.

It has found its first client in Employment Reference Services (ERS), which carries out background checks for potential airport employees.

Kelly Blowes, centre manager, said UBC would be supplying the company with a virtual office service.

"We basically act as an office for them without them having to actually have an office building.

"As they currently work from home, or spend a lot of time on the road, we take all their calls and post, everything an office would do."

Natalie Mutch, of ERS, said: "We handle all employment referencing for airport employers, which takes the hassle from them.

"We look at references, and can even carry out criminal record checks."

She added that the virtual office was ideal for ERS's operation.

"Being a small operation at the moment, the virtual office is great for us. Because we do a lot of travelling, it takes the hassle away."

Published Friday February 11, 2005

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