Member Article

Bondholders turn out for tour of iHub

Marketing Derby Bondholders turned out in force for a tour of the exciting new iHub innovation centre on Infinity Park.

Bondholders were amongst the first to see the cutting edge accommodation and facilities available to businesses across the aerospace, rail and automotive supply chains.

Guests were treated to breakfast in the stunning atrium area of the iHub, before finding about more about the iHub and Connect Derby project from Connect Derby manager Ann Bhatti.

This was followed by a presentation from business growth specialist Neale Lewis, entitled ‘Key business lessons to be learnt from the Rio Olympics.’

The £12m iHub is the centre piece of Infinity Park, the new 100-acre manufacturing focused commercial and technology site, which is situated between Sinfin and Chellaston.

The 45,000ft2 facility, which has Enterprise Zone status, aims to nurture the development and growth of businesses in the transport engineering and hi-tech sectors. It provides high quality, flexible workspace for start-ups, early stage businesses and high growth SME’s looking to establish themselves, or expand their role in the aerospace, rail and automotive supply chains.

As well as offering 18 traditional office workspaces (from 127 sq ft to 970 sq ft), iHub Derby also provides 14 ground floor workshops for businesses seeking a more hybrid working environment.

The state-of-the art workshops range in size from 375 sq ft to 4,451 sq ft and will cater for a broad range of uses in a managed workspace environment.

An exciting addition to the facilities available at the iHub is the innovative ‘FabLab’, which promotes invention by enabling the rapid prototyping of a range of products and services. It also boasts high end virtual reality, 3D printing and surface microscope equipment.

The building also offers a multi-purpose ‘heart space’ area, available for hosting external conferences and events, along with meeting and seminar rooms and a café/bar.

The completion of the building follows the recent opening of the T12 link road, which connects the iHub to the main A50 via Chellaston and Sinfin.

Speaking about the Bondholder event, Ann Bhatti, Connect Derby manager, said:

“We were delighted with the turnout for the Bondholder breakfast event. It was great to be able to show local businesses around the fantastic facilities here, particularly the impressive atrium and ‘heart space’, which is available for hosting conferences, exhibitions and special events.”

John Forkin, MD of Marketing Derby, added:

“The event was a great opportunity for our Bondholders to visit the iHub for the first time. The feedback was incredibly positive, particularly for the FabLab.

“A successful event hosted by the Connect Derby team and Neale Lewis.”

The iHub will build on the success of the hugely popular Connect Derby scheme, which has created a strong market for mixed use and sector specific serviced offices across the city at its six other buildings – Friar Gate Studios, Sadler Bridge Studios, Riverside Chambers, Marble Hall, Kings Chambers and Shot Tower.

It will offer a supportive and collaborative environment to enable businesses to innovate, grow and develop. Tenants will also be eligible to a range of support from ENSCITE, a collaboration between Aston and Derby Universities and Derby City Council.

The development has received funding from the Regional Growth Fund and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as well as Derby City Council and the University of Derby.

For further information about lettings and event possibilities at the iHub, contact Russell Rigby at Rigby & Co, on 01332 203377 (russellrigby@rigbyandco.com) or Ann Bhatti on 01332 258300 (ann.bhatti@derby.gov.uk).

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Donna Hill .