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Work begins on ambitious workspace development at Leicester’s Pioneer Park

Published on Friday, May 15, 2020

3 minute read

Pioneer Park artist's impression

WORK has begun on an ambitious next phase of development at Leicester’s Pioneer Park.

Leicester City Council is working with local firm Brackley Property Developments Ltd to build further much-needed new commercial workspace as part of ongoing work to support the growth of technology and knowledge-based businesses in the city.

The three-storey building will be built next to the popular managed workspace at Dock and offer office and light industrial workspace across three floors.

The new building will provide 14 individual units – ranging in size from 800sqft to 1,800sqft – all providing grow-on space for Dock-based business that are ready to expand as well as new businesses looking to join Dock’s existing entrepreneurial community. The building itself will complement the look and feel of the original building, with similar materials used in its construction.

Located right next door to Dock, businesses based in the new building will benefit from Dock’s full range of facilities including reception services, meeting and conference facilities, fast IT and access to networks and events. Given the site location within the city’s Enterprise Zone, businesses will also benefit from generous business rates benefits.

Once complete, the new building will become part of the Dock campus and be managed by the City Council.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “This important new phase of development at Pioneer Park will build on the success of Dock with a space for growing businesses to make their next step.

“We want to help grow Pioneer Park as a hub for technology and knowledge-based industries, improving the city’s economic prosperity, supporting enterprise and creating jobs. The success of Dock gives us an excellent foundation on which to build.

“These new managed workspaces are a vital part of that. They will provide much-needed grow-on space right next door to the thriving business community at Dock and close to the exciting Space Park Leicester development.

“I am pleased that we are able to work with a local developer on this exciting scheme.”

Stephen Pedrick-Moyle, managing director of Brackley Property Developments Ltd, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected by Leicester City Council to develop this exciting scheme which we hope will attract new businesses and allow existing businesses in the area to expand within this key regeneration scheme. 

“In line with current Government advice to the construction industry, our contractor Stepnell will be operating the site under the strict guidelines and procedures published by Construction Leadership Council and Public Health England.”

Work on the £5million extension to Dock is expected to be complete by early 2021 – with the first tenants moving in by late spring.

 Leicester City Council will contribute £1million from the Leicester Economic Action Plan, with an additional £1.7million being met by prudential borrowing and land receipts.

The Pioneer Park Dock extension is supported by a £2.614m allocation from the Local Growth Fund, a pot of government funding awarded to the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Ltd. (LLEP) for projects that benefit the local area and economy. Pioneer Park is located within the Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone. 

Kevin Harris is Chair of the LLEP Board of Directors. He said: “Dock’s great success for our local economy has been in attracting high tech, low carbon and innovative businesses to this purpose-built workspace. I’m very pleased, therefore, that the site is being expanded with this new development. 

“It is very important that we continue to develop our offer to businesses in this way. By allocating Local Growth Fund money to projects like the one at Pioneer Park, we can ensure that we support businesses for years to come. They in turn will create jobs, increase prosperity, and make a valuable contribution to our local economy here in Leicester and Leicestershire.”

Any businesses interested in discussing workspace availability should contact Luke Pulford at luke.pulford@leicester.gov.uk