iHub occupancy passes halfway mark
Occupancy levels at the new £12m iHub innovation centre on Infinity Park in Derby have passed the 50% mark – just six months after the building officially opened its doors to tenants.
Since it was launched last Autumn, the 45,000 sq ft facility has attracted a range of SMEs and large businesses from across the rail, aerospace and automotive supply industries.
The latest new tenants include engineering design specialists Addqual and Ultra Biotecs, which was founded by Peter Barr CBE, who was responsible for turning Hazlewood Foods into one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of pre-made sandwiches.
They join the likes of London-based cloud data consultants Elastacloud; Sciemetric, which tests and monitors processes across the assembly line, and patent and trademark attorneys, Serjeants, who were previously based at Leicester’s own hi-tech innovation hub.
A further 40% of accommodation is currently under negotiation, which will take the building to 90% occupancy within its first year of trading.
The iHub, which has Enterprise Zone status, is the centre piece of Infinity Park, the new 100-acre manufacturing focused commercial and technology site, strategically located between Sinfin and Chellaston, to the south of the city.
Alan Smith, head of economic regeneration at Derby City Council, said: “I am delighted that businesses have shown their commitment to the iHub and we are already 50% let, which is well ahead of our own forecast.
“This demonstrates that the building is exactly the right product for the right market.”
Ann Bhatti, Connect Derby manager, added: “We’re absolutely delighted with the positive reaction that the iHub has received since it joined the Connect Derby portfolio of buildings last Spring.
“Our new tenants have chosen the iHub because of its strategic location in the region, the hi-specification office and workshop accommodation and state-of-the-art equipment and business support services that are on offer. We look forward to announcing more new tenants in the coming weeks.”
