News
Key Handover
November 25, 2009
The key handover ceremony officially launched the Canterbury Innovation Centre opened for business status. The ceremony was attended by representatives from all Partners involved in the development, funding and management of the centre including Cllr John Gilbey, Chair of East Kent Spatial Development Company and Leader of Canterbury City Council, Pam Alexander, Chief Executive of SEEDA, Professor Julia Goodfellow and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent.
Jo Clark, Basepoint’s Centre Manager, said: “Although in its infancy, the Centre is already attracting a variety of businesses that fit the criteria of innovation and technology. Within the first month of opening, 35 out of the 85 units available have already been occupied, a huge achievement considering the current economic climate. We look forward to developing the Centre and creating an exciting new business community here.
ICE Launch
November 17, 2009
More than 50 businesses have registered with the ICE (Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise) network following its launch at the Canterbury Innovation Centre.
ICE is a new and ambitious innovation project that aims to connect local, regional, national and international businesses to the University of Kent and each other. It was launched by Professor Julia Goodfellow, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, at an event attended by business leaders, advisers, innovators, entrepreneurs, service providers and representatives from the University’s research, business and strategic networks.
The guest speaker for the evening was Charles Leadbeater, a strategic adviser to corporations and governments, and ‘one of the top management thinkers in the world’ (Accenture).
Canterbury Innovation Centre – Opening
November 9, 2009
Canterbury Innovation Centre opened its doors with over a third of space already let to local businesses that fit the innovation and technology criteria. The centre is set to reach 35% by the end of the year, a huge achievement considering the current economic climate.
The Centre will connect high growth, high tech businesses with academic expertise to help drive innovation and entrepreneurship. Office, studio and workshop spaces designed to support business start-ups are now available for those looking for a base in Canterbury.
Move puts firm in right place for green revolution
October 20, 2009
by Katie Alston, Kent Messenger…
Lean Machines (Ltd) Kent offers a range of zero-emissions vehicles which not only cost less money to run but are also environmentally friendly.
Despite the recession the business has grown solid roots and having recently celebrated the launch of the business’s website, owner Terry John, is looking forward to moving into space in Canterbury Innovation Centre…
Read full article
Major jobs boost at £7.3m centre
December 4, 2008
by Trevor Sturgess…
Two thousand jobs could be created over the next few years with help from a £7.3m hi-tech centre.
After more than six years of planning, Canterbury Innovation Centre has finally started construction, a milestone celebrated by a ground breaking ceremony.
Jonathan Shaw and hard hat to perform a turf, minister for the South East and MP for Chatham and Aylesford, pulled on wellington boots and hard hat to perform a turf cutting ceremony with a silver spade.
He said it would be “a fantastic and iconic building with high environmental standards.”
The lolevel building on the University of Kent campus in Canterbury will provide 25,000 sq ft of offices, studios and workshops and be part of a planned science park. It is due to open in October next year.
The project is funded by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) which is working with East Kent Spatial Development Company, the University of Kent, Canterbury Enterprise Hub and Canterbury City Council to boost the knowledge based economy in East Kent.
Lee Amor, SEEDA’s executive director of infrastructure and development, said that in challenging times, it was right for the public sector to invest in a project that would provide a platform for future growth.
“We are anticipating that the centre over its lifetime will provide 2,000 jobs and benefit as many as 800 companies,” he said.
“That will help diversify the local economy which is very much focused on retail, the public sector and tourism. It will create a knowledge based econommic which is so critical to future growth.”
Mr Amor added that in novation was vital to economic success, and universities, working with businesses, played a key role in helping high growth enterprise. “Innovation is a driver of growth and will make the region more competitive. It’s not only good for Canterbury and Kent, but also the south east.”
University of Kent vice chancellor Professor Professor Julia Goodfellow said: “Universities are at the heart of regeneration and innovation.”
