Exciting Grow on Space project progressing well

Harborough District Council’s Grow on Space project – due to open at the end of 2019 – will see the development of an innovative new commercial building that would provide office space for businesses looking to grow and move into larger accommodation in the district.

Council Leader Neil Bannister and Harborough District Council joint chief executives Norman Proudfoot and Beverley Jolly visited the site, at Compass Point Business Park in Market Harborough, to see how the project was progressing.

Councillor Bannister said: “This is such a unique and exciting project for the district and I’m amazed to see how quickly the build is progressing. Once completed, this facility will encourage growth and support businesses looking to expand and employ more people.”

Stuart Kerr, director at Willmott Dixon, the construction company in charge of the build, said: “We are pleased to be working with Harborough District Council on its Grow on Space project, which is set to give small local businesses the opportunity to thrive by having access to larger office spaces. At Willmott Dixon, we believe we have a purpose beyond profit and that includes being passionate about leaving a lasting positive legacy, something that Grow on Space will provide for many decades to come.”

The project is being funded by Harborough District Council which is providing up to £3,620,612 the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which is providing £3,282,500 and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) which is providing £987,833. 

The building will provide 19,000 square feet of office space, supporting 10 to 15 companies when at full capacity. Office suites, ranging from 1,000-3,000 square feet, will be available.

The Grow on Space follows the success of the Harborough Innovation Centre, which Harborough District Council developed and opened in 2011, to provide office space for start-up and new businesses.

More information at www.harborough.gov.uk/grow-on-space

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured top: (l-r) Stuart Kerr Willmott Dixon director, Chris Sawbridge Willmott Dixon senior surveyor, Norman Proudfoot HDC joint chief executive, Gerald O’Boyle Willmott Dixon construction manager, Cllr Neil Bannister Leader of HDC, Mark Perris head of major projects at HDC, Beverley Jolly  HDC joint chief executive and Terry Downes Willmott Dixon senior operations manager

Pictured above: Council Leader Neil Bannister helps out at the Grow on Space site.

 

 

 

Notes to Editors

European Regional Development Fund

 

 

 

 

 

The project is receiving £3,282,500 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.  The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

 

The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP)

 

 

 

 

 

The LLEP is a strategic body led by a Board made up of local government and business leaders as well as senior education and third sector representatives.

The LLEP’s remit is to drive forward regeneration and growth of the local economy, by:

• Working with Government to set out key investment priorities for Leicester & Leicestershire
• Engaging with business, local authorities, Higher Education, Further Education, the voluntary sector and other stakeholders
• Facilitating local partnership working and relations with national Government
• Influencing national Government economic policy and spending
• Investing LLEP funding and aligning partner resources
• Through its investments, influence and activities ensure positive outcomes for the local economy

How the completed building will look