A planning application for a ‘cluster hub’ building at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone, has been submitted to South Holland District Council.
The multi-use space will provide small and medium-sized business tenants with support services, networking, meeting and events space and catering, within the new Food Enterprise Zone near Holbeach.
There will also be workshops and offices, specifically designed for small or start-up businesses within agri-tech to establish themselves with access to the best support and expertise.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at the county council, said:
“The principal behind this building is to nurture collaboration between businesses and partners in the agri-tech industries, so they can share ideas and be at the heart of innovation.
“It reinforces the commitment we have in Greater Lincolnshire to become a world class destination in this industry.
“It’s important that we attract the big players in the food industry to our county, but equally important that we support smaller businesses to start out, grow, and thrive here.”
Lincolnshire based Core Architects are leading the design team for the Cluster Hub, funded by Lincolnshire County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s ‘Getting Building Fund’ (GBF).
Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership added:
“The Hub building is such an exciting development for our global cluster of agri-tech businesses here in Greater Lincolnshire.
“The South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone is rapidly becoming the location of choice for UK food sector investments.
“This latest milestone means businesses will be able to co-locate with the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing and directly benefit from sector-focused innovation, skills and enterprise support.
“The Hub will be the place to encourage collaboration and stimulate sharing of ideas and best practice.”
Councillor Nick Worth, deputy leader of South Holland District Council, said:
“With growing global food markets, there are huge opportunities for both established and new businesses developing new products and technologies.
“The Food Enterprise Zone will create fantastic job opportunities for our region, as well as generating an estimated £51m of additional GVA over the next 10-years.”
Subject to planning approval, work is due to commence on the Hub building in spring 2021, with view to completion in early 2022.