The University of Wolverhampton has appointed Midlands Company, Clegg Construction, to build its new £10.1 million Science, Technology and Prototyping Centre at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park – providing capacity for up to forty new businesses focused on science and technology based activities.
The new state-of-the-art, three storey development will offer 4,000 square metres of space, featuring high specification laboratories, workshops and offices - a combination of facilities not currently available in the Black Country.
The project has been part-funded through a £4.8 million grant from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as part of the Growth Deal with the remaining £5.3 million invested by the University of Wolverhampton.
The University of Wolverhampton Science Park is currently home to over 80 businesses employing over 500 people and working across a broad range of technological and creative disciplines. Opened in 1995 as a joint venture between the University and Wolverhampton City Council, the site has benefited from two previous expansions in 2000 and 2004.
Nigel Babb, Commercial Director (University of Wolverhampton Science Park), said: “It’s great to have a Midlands construction company on board for this exciting project. Work is due to start on the new development early in the new year and we expect the centre to be fully operational by Summer 2017.”
Simon Blackburn, Managing Director at Clegg Construction, said: “We were really pleased to win the contract to deliver such an exciting redevelopment programme in the Black Country. We provide a range of construction services for the public and private industries and have a strong track record along with substantial experience of working in the education sector. We are committed, as part of the contract, to offering real work experience opportunities for apprentices and students currently studying at the University.”
For more information about the new facilities on offer check out the website: http://www.wolverhamptonsp.co.uk/ or contact Lynsey Whitfield at lynsey.whitfield@wlv.ac.uk.