ALREADY five firms are said to be having talks with the developers of the almost-complete £4.5 million Westminster Place office complex at York Business Park.

Speculative developers Mandale Properties Ltd of Hartlepool say that even before the completion of the U-shaped cluster of three buildings, expected next month, interest is being expressed by three firms from outside York and two companies are interested in expanding out of York City Centre.

Joe Darragh, co-director for Mandale Properties, said it was too early to reveal details about the inquirers, but two were financial service companies, one a major utility company and another a postal distributor looking for a miniature call centre.

The project mirrors other Mandale office complexes of two blocks of 20,000 sq ft and one of 10,000 sq ft which have been successfully completed and marketed in Hartlepool and Newcastle.

The aim is to get a yield of 10 per cent, or about £450,000 per year. Given that Mandale has Map Electronics and Curtis Furniture as subsidiaries it offers a bespoke deal for data installation, furnishings, raised floors and telephone systems reflected in a rent of up to £12 per sq ft.

Mr Darragh said: "There are huge advantages in being able to take the physical and financial sting out of a new tenancy while at the same time offering a bespoke design facility. It really works."

The first occupation could take place in mid-September but at the end of that month he hopes to have a show office in place.