Works starts on £10m centre that will house 30 science businesses

WORK has started on the new £10.1m centre which will provide high specification laboratory and workshop space for science and engineering businesses in Wolverhampton.

The Science, Technology and Prototyping Centre is being built on land at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park.

The three-storey development will offer 4,000m² of space and feature high quality offices, labs and workshops, as well as a café and space for parking.

The project has been funded through a £4.8m grant from the Growth Deal to the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, with the remaining £5.3m coming from the University of Wolverhampton.

Designed by the Fairhurst Design Group and built by Clegg Construction, the centre will offer specialist space to scientific businesses wanting to develop and enhance their research and development activities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Ian Oakes said: “This exciting new development will be the only facility of its type in the Black Country and will build on the University’s investment in science and engineering in the last two years.

“We already have around 80 businesses based at the Science Park and this new centre will attract another 30 science and technology-based companies right to heart of Wolverhampton.

“It is a huge opportunity for the city and the university. We want to work with these businesses to help them grow and develop new products and processes and also give our students the chance for placements and graduate jobs.”

The centre is due to be completed in spring 2017.