The owners of Ebbw Vale Innovation Centre is making a further £1m investment in its portfolio of commercial property in Wales.

Forgeside House, the former laboratory of the once vast East Moors steelworks in Cardiff, is now part of the Cardiff Bay Business Centre.

The building which once housed British Steel scientists, is now home to a range of small businesses at the cutting edge business centre.

Now a £1m investment will see Forgeside radically altered with a makeover and better facilities.

Cardiff Bay Business Centre is still part of the Welsh steel industry, owned and run by UK Steel Enterprise, a subsidiary of Tata Steel.

UK Steel Enterprise manager in Wales Andy Morris said: "We have invested heavily in Cardiff Bay Business Centre and produced a superb, modern business centre. Such is the popularity of CBBC, that we are to invest a further £1m in Forgeside House.

“We had always planned to do so and now we feel the time is right.”

The traditional brick building will be given a facelift with modern style cladding and an aluminium curtain walling system for the large central atrium. Inside will see vast improvements to layout and styling, and a new gym has been installed.

Flexible spaces and communal meeting areas are to be added to create an open and welcoming working environment. New windows are being installed, and fibre broadband is already in place.

UK Steel Enterprise also owns and runs the Ebbw Vale Innovation Centre, which was doubled in size four years ago to cope with demand for its offices and workshops.

UK Steel Enterprise has invested heavily to provide top quality business accommodation for tenants - £33m across its sites around the UK.

Mr Morris said: “As an organisation UK Steel Enterprise has considerable experience in providing high standard accommodation for businesses. We understand that they want a modern environment with the very latest facilities, and to be part of a business community of like-minded people.”

In particular, UK Steel Enterprise accommodation offers flexibility to tenants. “We know that businesses can grow and develop very rapidly and that their plans to can change. This is why we offer easy-in, easy-out tenancy arrangements.”

As well as this, the organisation offers financial support, in equity or loan deals up to £750,000 in the first round.

“We are here to help businesses in Wales develop and take on staff by providing the right environment. This investment in Forgeside House is one aspect of our role.”