A NETWORKING hub and business gateway is being created at Liverpool Innovation Park (LIP) in a project worth almost £4m.
LIP operator Space North West is investing £2.5m in the scheme, matched with £1.42m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Scheduled for completion in early 2011, the networking hub will serve as a reception where tenants receive guests, meet like-minded entrepreneurs, exhibit products and services, and access professional business support services.
Space will also be created for a tenanted cafe-bistro overlooking landscaped gardens, which together will provide a focus for social activities on the park, which incorporates Wavertree Technology Park.
Associated refurbishment works will create more than 16,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, ideal for knowledge-intensive businesses.
Space North West is a joint venture between the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) and Ashtenne Industrial Fund and facilitated by economic development agency, Liverpool Vision.
Wayne Locke, Ashtenne regional director, who is leading the LIP Project, said: “Liverpool Innovation Park is already an excellent strategic location for knowledge-intensive businesses and the new networking hub will further enhance the park’s offer and its ability to contribute towards growing Liverpool’s knowledge economy.”
Contractors Mansell Construction Services are due to start work on site at LIP this month, which is anticipated to be complete by the end of January, 2011.
The design team appointed by Space Northwest comprises Archial as architects, HFM as building services engineers, WYG as civil & structural engineers and Todd & Ledson as quantity surveyors.
Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: “Situated on Edge Lane, the gateway entrance route into the city, Liverpool Innovation Park has already contributed to the ongoing regeneration of the area.”
LIP’s innovation manager, Mark Tock, added: “This investment in LIP’s innovation-campus environment will create informal breathing space away from the office in which entrepreneurs can innovate.ŠWe are grateful for the assistance of partners at NWDA and Liverpool Vision.”
