Revamped Innospace opens for business
INNOSPACE, Metropolitan University’s (MMU) business incubator, has relocated to a new home near Oxford Road.
More than 70 tenants are now operating from a 14,000 sq ft building in Chester Street that was informally known as The Sheds.
Innospace has moved from 12,500 sq ft at Minshull House, a Victorian warehouse on Chorlton Street, as part of the institution’s relocation of departments from the Aytoun Street campus to focus on a new area at Birley Fields in Hulme and at its existing All Saints campus around Oxford Road.
MMU has invested £1m revamping the building which has offices for start-ups, hot-desking for up to 120 people, and meeting and seminar rooms.
Manager Louise Kenworthy said: “The new building is truly fit for purpose to support and train companies to build the economy. The fact we’re closer to the university means it’s easier to build links and get more people engaged in what we offer. We needed somewhere more expansive and we recognise there are different types and styles of working that people need.”
Innospace was launched in 2007. MMU said 380 tenants have since passed through its doors, creating more than 500 jobs. Digital agency Modern English and recruitment website HiringHub are among the businesses to have started at the incubator. Existing tenant Milena Bonio runs Amnis Education which supplies temporary and permanent staff to schools.
She said: “I thought Innospace was perfect, it is in an amazing location and other places had been quite expensive. When we speak to teachers about what we do and where we’re based, it definitely adds value. Everyone here is very helpful and it’s been easy to set up. MMU is one of the biggest providers of teachers, so we couldn’t be happier being here.”
