Firms are showing increasing interest in renting office space as the effects of the recession show signs of easing, a business centre has said.

Capital Business Centre has welcomed four new companies to its South Croydon premises in recent weeks, with manager Carol Matthews adding more enquiries are in the pipeline.

She said: “Many businesses are looking forward to 2010 as a better year and while they may still be cautious they are ready to make the most of new opportunities.

“Value for money is the key and our office, studios and workshops are available on a monthly licence for an all-in-one fee. So you know exactly what you will be paying and there is no long term commitment to a lease.

Companies setting up in the Capital Business Centre recently include Practical Car and Van Rental, IT consultants SoThin, community based assessment service Jamma Umoja, and training and work placement specialist Welcome Skills.

The centre manager said firms were making the most of the sites all-inclusive charging policy for cleaning, maintenance and water rates, with many firms seeking to tighten their belts and keep a closer eye on overheads.

Companies can also make use of a virtual business service offered by the centre, providing them with a postal address, telephone answering service and access to meeting rooms.

Ian Pearson, director at consultancy Futurizon, said: “The recession has enforced the necessity to trim an awful lot of dead wood from the economy.

“The companies which are faster to modify themselves and more willing to grasp new techniques and new business models will thrive.”

Although office based businesses seem to be picking themselves up following the recession, retail sales have fell by 1.8 per cent between December and January - the largest drop for 18 months.

Heavy snow hitting sales of petrol and household goods was blamed for the drop in a report by the Office for National Statistics.

More information about the centre is available by calling 020 8916 2000, or visiting capitalspace.co.uk