A NEW hub for business at Leicester’s Pioneer Park has already signed up its first tenants, despite still being under construction.
Rapidly taking shape next to the managed workspace at Dock, the new building will offer office accommodation and light industrial workspace in 16 individual units when it opens in January 2021.
Ranging in size from 800sqft to 1,800sqft, the units will provide grow-on space for Dock-based business that are ready to expand, as well as for new businesses looking to join Dock’s existing entrepreneurial community.
Around 50% of the available space in the three-storey building has now been pre-let, with renewable energy specialists Renergy Solutions one of the first businesses to sign up and reserve their space.
Renergy Solutions, owned by Ketan Mistry and Prashant Patel, moved to Dock in 2014 and is now looking to expand.
“We’re really pleased that we’re going to be able to grow our business while continuing to enjoy all the benefits of being at Pioneer Park,” said Ketan.
“Over the past six years, we’ve grown from a team of two to a business employing six people, and we’ve been supported all the way by the staff and services at Dock.
“We look forward to moving into our new premises next door and taking our business to the next level.”
Leicester City Council is working with local firm Brackley Property Developments Ltd to build the commercial workspace.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We want to develop Pioneer Park as a hub for technology and knowledge-based industries, improving the city’s economic prosperity, supporting enterprise and creating jobs.
“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.
“With 50% of the new space already pre-let, and Dock at full capacity, it shows there’s strong demand for this type of accommodation.”
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’s location within the city’s Enterprise Zone, generous business rates benefits will also apply.
Work on the £5million extension to Dock started in May 2020 and it will welcome its first tenants in January 2021.
Once complete, the new building – which complements the look and feel of the original Dock – will become part of the Dock campus and be managed by the city council.
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.
Leicester City Council is contributing £1million from the Leicester Economic Action Plan, with an additional £1.7million being met by prudential borrowing and land receipts.
Any businesses interested in discussing workspace availability should contact Luke Pulford at luke.pulford@leicester.gov.uk or on 0116 225 7900.
Picture caption:
The new three-storey building will be welcoming its first tenants in January 2021