CO-WORKING business centre The Lighthouse in North Berwick received a visit from East Lothian MSP Iain Gray.

The visit was triggered by the building’s sponsorship of Fringe by the Sea, with the MSP touring the venue and meeting its tenants.

Mr Gray said: “From my visit to The Lighthouse you can see how this flexible office space has really captured the imagination of local businesses and freelancers working in the region.

“It was fascinating to meet some of the current tenants and hear their stories, you can clearly see the benefits for businesses to be in co-working spaces like The Lighthouse and this unique offering right here in East Lothian is the perfect platform for local business to launch from and thrive.

“It is so important that we ensure our towns and villages are places where people can work as well as live, and The Lighthouse certainly helps make that possible for these businesses in North Berwick.”

The Lighthouse, on Heugh Road, opened in March 2018. It provides flexible office space and pay-as-you-go desk space to small and medium-sized businesses.

A range of two-to-six-person offices, 22 fixed desks, several business studios and units plus several co-working options are available. The building also boasts informal and formal meeting spaces, break areas, kitchen facilities and coffee supplied by local cafe Steampunk.

The Lighthouse has proven popular and is at full capacity in terms of office space and business units, with only nine fixed desks remaining to let.

Founder Andy Hadden, a local resident who came up with the idea for The Lighthouse, said: “We have around 50 businesses in total on our books and the building has organically grown over the past 18 months, with a mix of local tenants who love the buzz they get from working in such a collaborative environment.

“We have created our very own thriving micro-economy here in North Berwick, and it’s only getting bigger.’’