WORKSPACE
INNOVATION IN ACTION
Centre manager – Vanessa Wood is heading up Innovation Central in Darlington .
New Darlington business hub is already thriving
The opening of a second business centre at the heart of Darlington ’ s Central Park development has created new workspace choices and a vibrant new business community . We find out what ’ s been happening since the grand opening .
T he first new tenants in and the first new ideas out – Innovation Central has certainly lived up to its name in its first few months of operation .
Designed to provide a creative , collaborative and supportive environment where ’ ideas people ’ can be inspired , the building is already buzzing with entrepreneurial potential and opportunities for peer support and business advice .
The doors to the £ 8m centre were thrown open in November , just around the corner from the already-popular Business Central site .
And centre manager Vanessa Wood said the additional workspace choices are already attracting businesses with solutions to real-life challenges in sectors as varied as training , food technology and healthcare .
“ After so much careful preparation
BOOK A TOUR
Want to see Innovation Central for yourself ? Email enquiries @ innovationcentraldarlington . co . uk to arrange a visit . and thoughtful design , it ’ s really exciting to see this stunning centre bustling with new tenants , visitors and attendees to our programme of events ,” she said .
“ Most importantly , their feedback has been fantastic . Tenants really like the size of the spaces and the spec we have on offer . They also like the proximity to the town centre and the excitement of being on Central Park as it continues to develop .
“ They appreciate being charged separately for energy so they can save on cost and reduce consumption . And they like being part of the bigger business community that exists between here and our sister site Business Central .”
Built to meet BREEAM sustainability credentials , its 45 Grade A offices and five labs not only share bright and airy spaces but also wrap-around business support , events and facilities .
Innovation Central and Business
Central are owned by Darlington Council and managed by the North East BIC .
It is jointly funded by Darlington Council , the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ), £ 3.55m from the Tees Valley Combined Authority and the Government ’ s Getting Building Fund .
A connected community
Innovation Central is just minutes from its sister business centre Business Central .
Together , the centres have created a connected business hub , providing a choice of coworking , office and lab space , along with services to support healthy businesses and lifestyles .
Tenants benefit from shared facilities including meeting rooms , a gym and micro spa .
118 | Tees Business