FREE accommodation is being offered to businesses to set up at an extra care facility in York.

York Housing Association (HA) is offering free premises for a bistro, a hairdressers and a shop at the Auden House development, which is being built in Horsman Avenue, York.

The £6 million apartment development will provide 41 apartments for older people and offer a tiered approach to care, enabling them to live an independent lifestyle in their own homes.

York HA is hoping the development will be completed in August and the new businesses can be up and running in time for the first residents to move in next January.

The ventures will offer their services to both residents and non-residents The three premises will be provided rent-free for a year. The bistro will come fully fitted with a kitchen and tables and chairs, the hairdressers will have sinks and the shop will be fully fitted out.

Christine Storrs, chief executive of York HA, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for either existing businesses, new start-ups or social enterprises. The bistro, in particular, is a wonderful opportunity not only to run a small restaurant but to possibly have a centre for outside catering.

“Apart from the wider catchment area, which is intensively residential, the new flats will house about 65 people plus, perhaps 20 living in new bungalows already built alongside the site.

“It will be up to whoever runs these businesses to market themselves, but we are offering their premises free for the first year to give them the opportunity to start trading on day one.”

The rent would be scaled up over three years. The first year would be free, then a proportion of the full rent would be paid on year two. “But the details of this will need to be negotiated,” said Christine.

If there are any entrepreneurs who want to take up the challenge, they can find out more by phoning Sandra Parker at 01904 63606 or emailing her at sandraparker@yorkha.org.uk