Builders onsite
for £5 million innovation centre
Sector: Local Government
Date Created: Fri 28th Mar 2008, 12:44:09
Source: South Somerset Council
Link: www.southsomerset.gov.uk
UK - Councillors and partners of the eagerly awaited Yeovil Innovation
Centre gathered this week to watch local builders start work onsite.
The £5 million joint venture – involving South Somerset
District Council, the South West of England Regional Development
Agency (South West RDA) and Somerset County Council is on a tight
schedule and local builders Rok intend to finish work in August this
year.
Cllr Tim Carroll, Leader of South Somerset District Council, explains, "The
Innovation Centre is designed to bring small, high-tech businesses
in and to grow and develop them until they are in a position to move into larger
premises.
"It will also support and attract new businesses into the
area with the end result being a better economy, more jobs, and a high tech business
legacy for South Somerset. It is certainly exciting to see the initial building
work start and we can now look forward to a swift journey towards the grand opening
at the end of the summer."
Cllr Alvin Horsfall, Somerset County Council's Portfolio Holder for Economic
Development, said: "What we are building here will
provide lasting benefits to Yeovil and South Somerset. It is very satisfying
to reach this stage as it means it will not be long now until the Yeovil Innovation
Centre is up and running, offering plenty of workspace for lots of new businesses
to come and join Somerset's vibrant economy."
Lynda Scorer, Enterprise Manager at the South West Regional Development Agency,
which is the major partner said, "The South West RDA
is committed to embedding a culture of innovation within the region. The Yeovil
Innovation Centre will provide the right environment for young businesses to
survive, innovate, grow and thrive by offering support and helping them exploit
new knowledge and technology.
"By promoting and supporting high tech businesses, the
centre will lead a local sustainable economy by unlocking the business potential
of the area. This will benefit the whole community."
Steve Bradley, Rok Yeovil's Area Leader added, "We
are delighted to be working on a project that will encourage the long term sustainable
growth of the town."
The Innovation Centre – which will be built within the existing shell of
the former Bonsoir factory building at Copse Road in Yeovil – will provide
over 25,000 square feet of floor space and up to 35 business units.
Economic Development staff at South Somerset District Council are already in
talks with several new businesses who are keen to rent out units
at the centre, and have begun the tender process to appoint an operator who will
manage the finished centre.
Any business interested in taking space at the Yeovil Innovation
Centre can find out more by talking to the Economic Development team at South
Somerset District Council on 01935 462462. |
