Job creation on the cards at AMP

THE newest phase of the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham has been officially opened by Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Sajid Javid,

The 32,000 sq ft facility at the 100-acre AMP has been funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA),

The site will offer office and work shop spaces for growing advanced manufacturing and technology companies, with the aim of attracting fast-growth SME companies from the AMP Technology Centre.

Developers hope it will also attract high technology companies from further afield.

A joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Unipart, named MetLase has taken 10,000 sq ft of office space, creating 30 technical engineering jobs.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: “South Yorkshire has long been synonymous with manufacturing. This new building will be a welcome addition to the next generation of advanced manufacturing and technology innovators in the Northern Powerhouse.

“Many of the companies here are inventing, designing, developing and manufacturing products and technologies years ahead of their time, giving them a vital role in the region’s growth and the UK economy.”

Jacquie Boulton, area manager at the Homes and Communities Agency: “The official launch of this new building marks a significant milestone for us. The AMP Technology Centre opened in 2006 and since then we’ve worked hard alongside managing and lettings agent Creative Space Management to ‘cluster’ similar businesses which benefit from sharing knowledge and expertise from like-minded companies. The Technology Centre is now at almost 100% occupancy and to ensure that these companies, which generate valuable high-net worth jobs, stay in South Yorkshire, we need to make sure we provide the type of specialist office and workshop space in which they can grow and develop. This building will allow them to do exactly that.”

The new building is already 50% pre-let in deals facilitated by managing and lettings agent Creative Space Management.