Work on Workington’s new Innovation Centre has been completed ready for it to open its doors this summer.
The building has now been handed over from Cumberland Council to Oxford Innovation Space, which will fit out the building.
Morgan Sindall Construction was the main contractor for the project.
The new facility has been created to provide purpose-built accommodation for entrepreneurial businesses, as well as bringing new modern office accommodation to Workington, which Cumberland Council said was currently lacking in the town.
The Innovation Centre is on part of the Central Car Park in Workington town centre.
The aim is to attract start-ups ready for incubation, as well as ambitious small businesses with clear growth potential.
Tailored innovation and business support will be provided to customers by Oxford Innovation Space experts to help them achieve their ambitions and scale sustainably.
The four-storey building has been designed to be energy efficient and has achieved an A rated Energy Performance Certificate. Air source heat pumps and solar panels have been installed.
Cumberland Council said 99.97% of the construction waste was successfully diverted from landfill and all of the machinery on site used Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil as a diesel alternative.
The authority added that the building’s interior was flexible so it can be reconfigured to meet the needs of the customers.
There will be private and informal meeting rooms, conference spaces, and catering facilities for building users and events.
Sustainability is key so business owners and their employees will be encouraged to use greener methods of transport – secure cycle storage will be installed, as will shower facilities, the council added.
As part of the project a number of ‘social value’ outputs were delivered including 211 apprentice weeks completed and 3 T-level one day a week work placements.
Additional works to improve land alongside parts of the cycle route that is in close proximity to the project site is also planned for later in the spring.
The Innovation Centre is part of the Workington Town Deal – £23.1 million of Government funding for a range of transformative projects, which also include a new sports village and improvements to Workington Port, as well as improved public realm.
The NHS has also built a £19 million Community Diagnostic Centre on neighbouring land.
Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer said: “This is a new and exciting project that is going to benefit the entire Cumberland community.
“The Innovation Centre will give a huge boost to Cumbria’s business community and is also in an ideal place to increase footfall to the town centre and make use of Workington’s transport links.
“As a council we want to attract and retain the very best quality businesses and improve the entrepreneurial opportunities we know already exist here.”
Jo Stevens, managing director of Oxford Innovation Space, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Cumberland Council to bring the Workington Innovation Centre to life.
“Our focus will be on creating a vibrant, supportive environment for digital technology and advanced manufacturing businesses with real ambition to grow.
“Beyond high-quality workspace, businesses will benefit from tailored innovation and business support, strong local partnerships, and access to a wider national network of centres. We’re already keen to speak with prospective customers who want to be part of this new chapter for Workington.”
Chair of the Workington Town Deal Board, John Coughlan, said: “I am delighted to see the work finished on this impressive Town Deal project.
“Now that the building has been completed, I look forward to the next chapter and it becoming a thriving business hub.”
