Innovation and technology centre for Rotherham

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 11, 2005

Yorkshire Forward is to build a flagship innovation and technology centre in South Yorkshire to act as a creative epicentre for the region's advanced engineering and metals industries.

Yorkshire Forward is to build a GBP 9.75 million flagship innovation and technology centre in South Yorkshire to act as a creative epicentre for the region's advanced engineering and metals industries.

The "Accelerator" building will be the focal point of reference on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) at Waverley, in Rotherham, which is being developed to provide a hub for the advanced manufacturing technologies industry.

Waverley is an ex-coalfield site that has been brought to development status through a joint venture between Yorkshire Forward and UK Coal.

The groundbreaking Accelerator project is a prime example of the land and property function within Yorkshire Forward supporting the business function to enhance the economic performance of South Yorkshire.

Conference facilities, meeting rooms, exhibition space and cafe areas will give businesses on the AMP a place to meet, share ideas or research and develop new projects within this facility.

The three-story Accelerator will also provide leased space for world-class companies that are keen to participate in the technology proposition of the AMP prior to committing further investment in their own facilities.

Additionally, new companies will be interested in their potential rapid growth and development in managed units with business support and mentoring on hand.

Susan Johnson, Yorkshire Forward Executive Director of Business Development, said: "The Accelerator is essential to the success of the Advanced Manufacturing Park".

"This will be a place to exchange ideas and to develop new and exciting processes".

"We know that there is a demand for this type of facility - industry leaders have been telling us so - and we know the Accelerator will help to attract further inward investment to the Advanced Manufacturing Park".

"Importantly, the environmentally friendly design of the building will set the standard for the type of developments we want to see there".

Before a brick has been laid, several firms have expressed a strong interest in renting space in the Accelerator to develop new products or processes.

The Accelerator will have a broad focus towards established world class companies, smaller companies, and business startups or spin-out companies that do not yet have the resources to go it alone.

Additional funding will also be made available from Yorkshire Forward for mentoring, business planning and development for companies across the region.

This funding source will also be available to manage the Accelerator and offer this essential support to new companies as tenants looking to innovate in the sector.

The building has also been designed to offer as much flexibility for future use as possible.

The Accelerator will aim to achieve an "excellent" rating under the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method - regarded by the UK's construction and property sectors as the measure of best practice in environmental design and management.

A range of renewable energy technologies will help to power and heat the building.

Subject to planning permission, construction could start in May 2005 and be available for occupancy before the end of the first quarter of 2006 or sooner to satisfy preliminary market demand for this purpose-built facility.