Stockport Council has confirmed plans for a new state-of-the-art Innovation Centre in the heart of Stockport Town Centre, to add to a plethora of recent announcements as part of the Council’s ambitious regeneration plans.
Merseyway Innovation Centre (MIC) will see 15,000 sqft of vacant floorspace on the upper floors of Merseyway Shopping Centre transformed into flexible serviced office and co-working accommodation. This will offer a thriving Innovation Centre where fledgling and small businesses will be supported in their growth plans in a centrally located, flexible and inspirational environment.
Facilities will include:
- Business lounge — a meeting area, providing opportunities for collaboration and development of the MIC business community
- Co-working space — bookable desks for small and micro businesses or individuals working remotely. A first step for growing a new business
- Business units — shared and individual offices with between one and four desks per office, aimed at new and young businesses requiring “incubation” space and support
- Grow on space aimed at more established businesses with between four and 10 employees
- Meeting rooms
- All customers will also have access to business support and a programme of workshops and networking opportunities delivered from the centre
- Ultra-fast broadband
Stockport based contractor TMT Commercial Contractors Limited are the appointed contractor for the project. The Council strive to employ local contractors, where possible and this appointment gives TMT the ability to be involved in a project on their doorstep to utilise their local supply chain, who are all Stockport based and from close surrounding areas.
TMT will track carbon emissions to and from site and collect data from waste removal to target less than 0.5% to landfill. Further added value from the project will see TMT spend 80 hours voluntary time to support local community projects, make donations to local sports teams and assist Stockport Women’s centre in the refurbishment of some of their space used to support local women.
Work will include the construction and fit out, as well as renovation work to the façade.
Opening Summer 2023, the Innovation Centre will transform the first floor of the former Next store and the adjacent former Metro Gym into fantastic new hub for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs. At full capacity, the Innovation Centre has the potential to accommodate up to 50 new businesses right in the heart of Merseyway.
The Innovation Centre supports the Council’s investment into diversifying the town centre, attracting a wide range of people, whilst also repurposing former retail units.
The scheme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Government funds and Stockport Council. Support from the Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund will enhance the digital creative offer.
Cllr Colin MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “We have a thriving business community in Stockport but this will strengthen our offer and provide that all important support for new and small businesses, providing everything they need for their business to grow and prosper.
“The improvements we are making to the wider Merseyway Shopping Centre will further enhance the area and the new Transport Interchange just across the road will make it even more accessible, allowing more people to take advantage of the fantastic facilities and all our town centre has to offer.”
Tom Traynor at TMT Commercial Contracts Ltd commented: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity for our company, it’s a privilege to be working with Stockport Council on this project. All three of our company directors are from Stockport so it is great to see the investment within the town centre, and to be able to play a small part in the improvements, coupled with the social value aspect of the project is allowing us to give back to our local community, which is something we are truly passionate about.”
The Centre will complement the Council’s existing Stockport Business Innovation Centre in Broadstone Mill and Merchants House in the Market Place, and will be managed on behalf of the Council by Oxford Innovation Ltd.
Header image shows CGI of the new Innovation Centre in Merseyway.
