IN little more than a month since it opened, the new £5.5 million IT centre, part of the Innovation complex at York Science Park in Heslington, has begun to fill up.

Already 9,000 sq ft - more than a third of the 25,000 sq ft building - is now occupied by firms taking advantage of what is claimed to be the unique-in-Europe bandwidth- on-demand facility. Anywhere else and IT-based ventures are likely to be tied down by service providers insisting on specific unvarying bandwiths under contract.

By offering this the IT centre provides the infrastructure to allow some young companies to "punch above their weight."

Added attractions are business support services, the potential for betworking with like-minded businesses and the "move in and plug in" ease with which they can start operations.

Mark Fordyce, chairman of York Data Services Ltd, the technical partners with York Science Park Innovation Centre in the IT Centre initiative said the infrastructure provided there was equivalent to what would normally be needed for as many as 200 companies in London. Latest firm to join the IT Centre is Knowledge Base (UK) Ltd, whose products include provision of the entire national Learn Direct interactive education service.

Already ensconced are York Data Services Ltd themselves; Jade Direct UK, the subsidiary of Jade Software Corporation which operates in Australasia; Medcom Ltd, publishers of Surgical Skills a digital publication which allows surgeons to see "virtual" operations using 3-D images; Dotcom Imaging, an Internet solutions provider; Redblack Software, which supplies bespoke database and web applications; and Xururu, an Internet hosting company which provides self-managed servers.

Janine Leadbetter, marketing co-ordinator for York Science Park Innovation Centre Ltd reports that there is huge interest in the remaining office suites, with one, Paul Harper of PBH Rail, set to move there in January.

"The rush will really begin in the New Year, because a lot of companies are contracted to where they are based and besides, many prefer not to move before Christmas," said Janine. "But such will be the demand that I expect that there will be only a few places by next April."

Any firm interested should phone Janine on 01904 435100.

Updated: 09:16 Tuesday, November 25, 2003