HERON Bros has commenced work on the build of the £40 million Edinburgh Innovation Hub.
The 7,200 square metre hub, which received planning permission last September, is expected to be completed in 2025 and is a joint venture between East Lothian Council and Queen Margaret University.
Set to bring industry and academia under one roof to create opportunities for synergies and knowledge-sharing, the hub will support and grow businesses driven by innovation, knowledge exchange, and technology.
Tenants will be able to rent accommodation packages for move-in ready space that fits their size and needs. The design also ensures that tenants can take up more space as and when they need, the university added.
A ground breaking ceremony was recently held to mark the start of construction, with it attended by representatives of East Lothian Council and Queen Margaret University, as well as Donald Cameron, UK Government minister for Scotland, and Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government minister for innovation.
The venture is supported by £28.6 million from the UK Government, £1.4 million from the Scottish Government, and £10 million from East Lothian Council as part of the Edinburgh and south east Scotland city region deal.
Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of East Lothian Council, said, “The start of construction on this project highlights our ambition to create a sought-after location for business growth and increase high value jobs for East Lothian. It aligns with our aim of making East Lothian the best place in Scotland in which to live, wor,k and do business.
“By supporting the food and drink and other important economic sectors, including tech and life sciences, we can attract innovative businesses to one of Scotland’s fastest growing areas.
“The 52-acre Edinburgh Innovation Park adjacent to the Edinburgh Innovation Hub will transform a strategic economic development site, owned by East Lothian Council, into a nationally significant cluster of knowledge exchange, innovation and high value business growth.”
Sir Paul Grice, principal of Queen Margaret University, added, “Along with driving economic development locally and nationally, the Hub will act as a gateway into QMU for businesses, increase opportunities at the University for industry-relevant research and knowledge exchange, promote an entrepreneurial culture, and increase the vibrancy of the area around the campus.
The hub is not just a new building, it will be a new business. Importantly, it will provide a much more bespoke and focused service than is currently offered by business parks, providing not only physical facilities but also the operational support SMEs need to work effectively and grow.”
