Partner Article

Science project moves closer

CONSTRUCTION work on a new science park that is forecast to create 100 jobs and safeguard a further 75 in the region is about to begin.

The Wilton Centre, located outside Middlesbrough, on the Wilton Centre Innovation Accelerator Incubator - a 10,000 sq ft facility incorporating specialist laboratories and office space.

The high specification development has been designed to meet BREEAM standards to ensure a high level of energy efficiency.

The new facility will house ten specialist laboratory/pilot plant units, with associated equipped communal laboratories and meeting rooms, as well as providing office space for SMEs working on new business opportunities.

It will also be the base for the Centre for Process Innovation’s (CPI) Innovation Accelerator team of market sector specialists which will provide in-depth support in areas including market intelligence studies, negotiating the complicated area of intellectual property research, investment planning, networking opportunities, business planning and sources of funding.

The area will be ready for use before the end of the year, but the Innovation Accelerator team is already at work supporting process industry SMEs and the Wilton Centre Facilities Management (WCFM) team is providing short-term accommodation until the new facility is completed and operational.

The development, in a recently vacated area of the centre’s Technical Development Area (TDA), is being funded by The Wilton Centre’s owner with a contribution from the European Regional Development Fund via One North East as part of the Innovation Connectors initiative.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .