New era as LEP makes cop shop move

COVENTRY and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) is starting a new year in new headquarters.

It has moved into the Old Clink in Warwick.

The building on Holloway has been brought back into use as offices by Warwickshire County Council and will now house CWLEP staff as well as hosting business groups and board meetings.

The CWLEP also wants to develop the building as a centre for cutting-edge technology which will be available for partners to use.

The organisation – charged by the Government with initiating and nurturing economic growth – had worked from offices at the Jaguar Land Rover site at Gaydon since its inception but this is its first permanent home.

Sir Peter Rigby, chairman of the CWLEP, said: “The Old Clink is in a great location for the LEP and will become the heartbeat of the organisation.

“The LEP calls on resources from a great many partners and they will all be able to use the building and we will hold all our meetings at this location. The fact we can have all our resources in one place, working for Coventry and Warwickshire as a whole, is another major step forward.”

The Old Clink was built in the 1700s, was bought by the Earl of Warwick in 1809 and later became Warwick Police Station and cells.

Cllr Alan Farnell, leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Local Enterprise Partnership to their new home in central Warwick. 

“This indicates the importance of the organisation to the local economy and will enable the partnership to work even closer with local government and the private sector.”