NIRAS gobbles up project win at South Lincolnshire Enterprise Zone

Multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy NIRAS has landed a major contract win in Lincolnshire.

NIRAS has been appointed to design the new Incubator Hub at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ), in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council and Gleeds.

The contract win follows the company’s expansion into Lincolnshire, with a new office in Holbeach, adding to bases in Burton-on-Trent, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and Ascot.

The new Incubator Hub in Holbeach will support food and beverage start-ups, giving them the space and facilities they need to take their first steps into commercial production.

Start-ups will be able to rent a test kitchen or secure a longer lease in a dedicated food production unit.

The Food Enterprise Zone will bring together researchers, farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers to improve productivity and support innovation.

NIRAS helped shape the business case and secure funding for the project, as well as producing a concept building design.

Chris Sparrow, director of architecture for NIRAS Group (UK), said: “We’re delighted to be working on such an important initiative with Lincolnshire County Council and our project partners at Gleeds.

“Lincolnshire is at the heart of the UK’s food and beverage industry and is a vital part of the UK’s innovation in high value food chains.

“Supporting food and beverage startups in Lincolnshire is vital for innovation and growth, and we’re proud to play a part in making it happen. Huge thanks to Simon Wright and Zoe Bursey at Lincolnshire County Council for their vision and support.”