Ask starts work at Tameside college site
BUILDING work has finally started on Tameside College’s new innovation and business incubation centre based at Ask Developments’ St Petersfield scheme in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Plans for the 10,000 sq ft innovation and incubation centre at Ask’s £42m St Petersfield’s scheme were initially approved around a year ago, but a groundbreaking ceremony took place earlier this week to mark the start of construction on the site, which should complete in August ahead of the new academic year.
The centre has been designed by Aedas Architects and will feature a new enterprise laboratory, incubation space and a cafe area which will also be accessible to local businesses and the general public. It will be spread over three floors.
John Hughes, director at Ask Developments, said; “Tameside College’s innovation and incubation centre is a valuable addition to St Petersfield. In difficult economic conditions, it will provide budding entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to take the next step with their business.
“It will also ensure that new and existing companies are retained within Tameside rather than choosing to relocate elsewhere.”
Once finished, the building will complete the circus area of the 13-acre St Petersfield site. It is being delivered with £14.5m-worth of public funding from the NWDA, Homes and Communities Agency and the European Regional Development Fund.
