Potential for ‘thousands’ of jobs at university Enterprise Park
The deal to create 500 jobs at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) could lead to other major companies coming to the town, according to those worked on the deal.
Last August, software company Access Group revealed it is set to move into a new 100,000 sq ft office on the LUSEP.
The deal, brokered by joint agents Andrew and Ashwell and Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), marks the start of an expansion at LUSEP, which, they say, could lead to more pre-let deals involving major businesses seeking to collaborate with the University.
Jane Taylor, consultant at agents Andrew and Ashwell, said: “This is a really exciting development and will be the first of many similar deals, potentially bringing thousands of jobs and huge investment to the region.”
Phil Quiggin, head of office at LSH in Nottingham, added: “The Access Group development is the first building to be pre-let at LUSEP by, and for, an organisation that is not directly related to the University. It therefore creates a very significant template and paves the way for the University to deliver further pre-let opportunities either with the County Council or potentially with other partners based at LUSEP.”
Professor Tracy Bhamra, pro-vice chancellor (Enterprise) at Loughborough University, said: “This new building is the first new development of LUSEP’s expansion within Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone. The Access Group is one of the UK’s top employers and innovators, and a perfect fit for LUSEP. It has already established mutually beneficial links with the University since opening a technical development and support centre at LUSEP in November 2016.”
The plans were first announced in last August by Midlands Engine Ministerial Champion Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP. They were approved by Charnwood Borough Council in October 2018. The project is being delivered by Wates Construction. Practical completion is expected in 2020.
Perfect Circle – a joint venture company formed by consultants Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM – is providing multi-professional consultancy services for the project through the Scape Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework. The project team, led by Perfect Circle, includes local architects SGP as lead designers, commercial property agents Andrew and Ashwell and LSH, planning consultants GVA and solicitors Browne Jacobson.
