Innovation Centres boost for local employment

Almost 800 new jobs have been created by the success of Innovation Centres run by Chesterfield Borough Council. The Centres, designed to act as "seedbeds" for young companies utilising new technology, have done just that - with several firms starting life at the Centres before expanding into their own premises.

"The primary objective of the Centres is to encourage the establishment of new businesses and last year was the best so far as successful companies left the Innovation Centres to occupy their own premises in Chesterfield", said the Centres' manager, Richard Harvey.

"Three substantial businesses have moved on having flourished in the supportive environment offered by the Innovation Centres. The diversity of their activity demonstrates that any business sector can offer opportunities for innovation and subsequent success.

"There are now over 500 people working in the Chesterfield area for companies that have been assisted with accommodation at either Tapton Park or Dunston Innovation Centres, plus between 250 and 300 working in the centres at any one time."

It is now over nine years since Chesterfield Borough Council, supported by the Chamber of Commerce and the North Derbyshire Training and Enterprise Council, opened Tapton Park Innovation Centre in April 1997.

At that time there were only about 25 similar projects in the UK but the concept has proved so successful that there are now more than ten times that number built and many more planned or under construction.

The second Chesterfield Innovation Centre opened on Dunston Technology Park four years later and the two Centres offer a total lettable area of over 45,000 square feet.

The two Centres have maintained a high level of occupancy and have returned an operating surplus every year after their opening year.