A NEW £5 million state-of-the art office development has opened at the Reebok Stadium.

The Business Centre has taken 10 months to build and is home to Reebok UK's showrooms and the Apparel Design Centre on the second floor of the North Stand overlooking the pitch.

Commenting on the partnership between Burnden Leisure and Reebok UK, Dave Singleton, managing director of Reebok UK, said yesterday: "We are delighted to be able to locate our showrooms and Apparel Design Centre in the Reebok Stadium. While our head office will remain in Lancaster, we believe the Reebok Stadium offers the ideal location for these two functions."

"The site offers superb facilities, design inspiration and is centrally located within easy reach of many of our key retail customers.

"The agreement also reinforces the long standing strategic partnership between Reebok UK and Burnden Leisure, which incorporates our commitment to Bolton Wanderers Football Club in terms of club sponsor, kit sponsor and stadium naming rights."

"We are also pleased to have a presence once more in Bolton where the company was founded over 100 years ago."

Allan Duckworth, chief executive of Burnden Leisure, added: "We're delighted that Reebok has made a further commitment as our main strategic partner.

"The development of the North Stand is the final piece in the jigsaw.

"Our partnerships include successes with De Vere hotels developing the first integrated hotel in the country within the confines of a stadium, the development of a new physiotherapy and sports injury business, based at the Reebok Stadium, and the hosting of other sporting and leisure events such as international rugby matches and pop concerts.

Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside said: "This sort of business development plan is vital for the future of a club like Bolton. Whenever you hear the stadium mentioned, it is called 'The Reebok'.

"It made sense for this path to be followed, and we are delighted at this further expansion of our partnership. It's a positive move both for the club and for the community surrounding the stadium.

"It shows that economic development in the area is key to the future of Bolton Wanderers and the town in general."