Castledown Innovation Centre ready to open (From Swindon Advertiser)

Castledown Innovation Centre ready to open

Completion of a multi million pound development, which will give a huge shot in the arm to the Wiltshire economy will shortly be a step closer.

The topping out ceremony at the Castledown Innovation Centre, a critical part of a £4m business park which will eventually cover 33 acres of the site on former Ministry of Defence land between Ludgershall and Tidworth, will take place on November 16.

The event is bound to be a high spot since there are plans for Councillor John Brady to conduct the formalities from a cherry picker hoisting him up to the level of the roof beams.

The Castledown Business Centre, which opened in May, already provides 21 office and light industrial units designed to help businesses in the first crucial years of operation and to encourage them to stay in Wiltshire. The project is a superb example of partnership working. Wiltshire Council contributed 1.4 million for the innovation centre whilst the South West of England Regional Development Agency paid 2.4 for the business units.

Meanwhile, GWE Business West Enterprise Services, together with other business support partners such as Business Link, is enthusiastically involved by offering a comprehensive programme of business support.

It will fulfill a range of roles, supporting diversification in the local economy, providing an integrated range of business support services, build capacity, anchor a skilled work-force in the area whilst developing and retaining new and existing businesses.

Innovation is seen by Wiltshire Council, SWRDA and the Government as one of the key themes to assist business to survive the economic downturn and capitalise on the recovery. It’s a key driver for the development of new businesses and the growth and increased employment in existing businesses.

GWE Business West is responsible for mobilising, managing and coordinating the business support offering.

Their Director of Business Development, Peter Beech-Allen said, “The Innovation Suite provides a unique environment which takes individuals away from everyday work and provides a fluid and adaptable think-tank.

"It combines state of the art technology with modern thinking methods. We will have interactive presentation equipment, interactive wipe-board, a 10 metre write-on wipe-off brainstorm wall and multi-layout options.

"The Centre delivers comprehensive support to the rural business community and the personnel leaving the armed forces who may be wishing to or have already started a new enterprise.”

For further information email Juanita.McLaren-Brown@gwebusinesswest.co.uk.