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Brighton shared workspace and startup support centre receives £7.7 million investment

Central Research Laboratory (CRL), planned for a new mixed-use development at Preston Barracks, Brighton is to benefit from £7.7 million in investment from the Local Growth Fund, part of the Greater Brighton Investment Programme.

The CRL, which is expected to create 740 jobs, will provide shared workspace, prototyping labs and commercial support tailored to the needs of individuals and early stage businesses that design and manufacture innovative physical products.

As well as facilities for start-ups, it will offer flexible accommodation for more established, design-led businesses who are struggling to find high quality, flexible space to support their growth.

The new facility is part of a wider regeneration scheme involving the University of Brighton and developer Cathedral Group.

Brighton & Hove City Council is working closely with them to progress the project which will see the development of a key site in the city.

Planning permission is expected to be sought in the autumn.

Details of the investment programme for the region were presented to the Greater Brighton Economic Board which met last week.

Brighton & Hove’s leader Jason Kitcat and chair of the Greater Brighton Economic Board, said: “The Central Research Laboratory at Preston Barracks will be a fantastic resource for the city and for entrepreneurs across our region to grow business ideas and develop new products.

“We’re also looking at how to use the site in the meantime and we’re hoping to be able to offer a programme for people from as early as this summer. We are really excited that this site, which been undeveloped for decades, is being put to good use.”

Read the reports for the Greater Brighton Economic Board here http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=855&MId=5399

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .