I was very pleased to officially open Phase Two of the Rural Innovation Centre at Stoneleigh Park, which offers serviced offices and business support for new and small businesses. The original centre opened in 2013 and has doubled in size. Adjacent buildings have been refurbished and designed to create additional offices and meeting space for businesses that employ between two and eight people. In total there are now 35 offices and 30 are currently let out to both new and expanding businesses and the centre expect to reach full occupancy soon.
The Rural Innovation Centre’s success is not surprising given our area’s rich commercial and industrial heritage. Major international companies thrive alongside younger and smaller companies who use the rich knowledge base in the area to establish and grow. For example, the region’s two leading universities and their pool of skilled undergraduates are invaluable to growing companies and to attracting inward investment.
The Centre was created to help these very same small and start-up businesses to flourish and its’ expansion is a testament to the number of successful, innovative businesses started in this area in the past few years. The new accommodation will provide similar opportunities to more companies who will be able to use the excellent facilities to develop their ideas and grow. I was delighted to open and be shown around the site and see for myself more space for innovation and success to develop at the heart of this vibrant area.