The planning application for a ‘Cluster Hub’ building at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone, has been approved, with work due to start next month.
The multi-use space will provide small and medium-sized business tenants with support services, networking, meeting and events space and catering, within the new Food Enterprise Zone near Holbeach.
There will also be workshops and offices, specifically designed for small or start-up businesses within agri-tech to establish themselves with access to the best support and expertise.
Coun Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at the county council, said: “The principal behind this building is to nurture collaboration between businesses and partners in the agri-tech industries, so they can share ideas and be at the heart of innovation.
“It reinforces the commitment we have in Greater Lincolnshire to become a world class destination in this industry.
“It’s important that we attract the big players in the food industry to our county, but equally important that we support smaller businesses to start out, grow, and thrive here.”
Lincolnshire based Core Architects are leading the design team for the Cluster Hub, funded by Lincolnshire County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s ‘Getting Building Fund’ (GBF). Work will start on the building in April 2021 with view to completion in early 2022.
Pat Doody, chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership added: “The Hub building is such an exciting development for our global cluster of agri-tech businesses here in Greater Lincolnshire. The South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone is rapidly becoming the location of choice for UK food sector investments.
“This latest milestone means businesses will be able to co-locate with the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing and directly benefit from sector-focused innovation, skills and enterprise support. The Hub will be the place to encourage collaboration and stimulate sharing of ideas and best practice.”
Professor Val Braybrooks MBE, dean of Holbeach Campus and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing at the University of Lincoln, said “We are really looking forward to welcoming the Food Enterprise Zone’s first business tenants to the Hub and being able to offer the University’s support through the Centre of Excellence in Agri-food Technologies to ensure their rapid growth and success.”
Coun Nick Worth, deputy leader of South Holland District Council, said: “With growing global food markets, there are huge opportunities for both established and new businesses developing new products and technologies. The Food Enterprise Zone will create fantastic job opportunities for our region, as well as generating an estimated £51m of additional GVA over the next 10-years.”
