A NEW community-focused accountancy firm is hoping to breathe new life into Victoria Road.

Payslip Accountants moved into its new offices on the vital artery for Swindon, connecting Old Town with the town centre, which has historically suffered from empty properties and a lack of interest from new businesses.

Payslip Accounts managing director and owner Sumon Roy told the Adver after the opening: “Our motto is trying to provide affordable financial and accounting help to the community businesses in Swindon and the surrounding areas.

"We are serving the community and small businesses and we’re also voluntarily doing the accounts for the Swindon Bangladesh Association and the Swindon Sanatan Association.

“We are not as concerned about the fees, but we are trying to give a better service to the community.

"It was a wonderful evening. We had more than 100 people. It was a brilliant and very successful event.

There to cut the ribbon was Robert Buckland MP for South Swindon who told the Adver: “I was honoured and delighted to support the opening. At the launch I spoke of the importance of regeneration of properties along Victoria Road, and am pleased that Sumon Roy and his team have played their part in helping this process.”

Swindon’s new mayor Junab Ali added: “It was special because it was nice to see a fellow British Bangladeshi entrepreneur in Swindon working hard to build his business and contribute towards the local economy and to help other fellow entrepreneurs along the way.

“In terms of rejuvenating Victoria Road and investing his time into the business property to brighten up the area and I hope small business like his will be a kickstart to our town’s needs. I wish him every success in his new business venture.”

In 2011 a Local Development Order was introduced to try to encourage small-scale developments on the Victoria Road.