Pictured above: (l-r) Andrew Morgan, Skills and Communities
Director at emda; Nick Carter, executive chairman, Prospect
Leicestershire; Cllr Mike Rook, Leader of Harborough District
Council and Guy Higgins, managing director, William Davis
Ltd
A 'Topping Out' ceremony held recently marked a major milestone
for the £4.2m Harborough Innovation and Business Centre
(HIBC) project, which aims to promote business and innovation
across Leicestershire and is targeted to bring approximately 180
jobs to Market Harborough.
Representatives from project partners, Harborough District
Council, William Davis Ltd, East Midlands Development Agency (emda)
and Prospect Leicestershire secured a commemorative plaque to the
highest point of the structure symbolising the age-old construction
tradition of 'Topping Out' - the ceremonial cementing of a coin, or
these days a plaque, onto the building to bring good fortune.
Cllr Mike Rook, Leader of Harborough District Council said:
"This is a fantastic achievement, given the time of year and the
challenging weather conditions, to be here on time and on target
with the build. I have nothing but praise for the project team and
all the partners, for enabling this tight target to be met. It is
with great pleasure that I am able to be present to top-off another
milestone on our way to success."
Guy Higgins, managing director, William Davis Ltd commented:
"The 'Topping Out' ceremony of this flagship building is a great
start to the New Year. This new facility will provide a
landmark gateway for Market Harborough and once completed will be a
thriving hub for innovation, enterprise and business."
Andrew Morgan, Skills and Communities Director at emda, added:
"This dedicated, modern facility will enable businesses to grow and
flourish, helping to create new, high quality jobs for local
people. It will be vitally important in boosting the economic
potential of Harborough as it builds up the manufacturing,
distribution and service sectors that are becoming increasingly
important to the development of the area."
Nick Carter, executive chairman, Prospect Leicestershire
commented: "Prospect Leicestershire is very pleased to have been
part of the combined operation that delivered this important
facility. This new building will help more people get the right
start for their business and bring more jobs to the area. It is a
great example of effective teamwork between the private and public
sectors, and this is a significant day for Harborough and for the
Leicester and Leicestershire economic partnership."
When complete in June 2011, the centre will provide 52 offices,
along with eight studios and meeting rooms and will form part of
the 20-acre Airfield Business Park. The site will also comprise six
commercial and industrial units built by Loughborough-based
contractor and developer, William Davis.
Work commenced on site in August 2010 after the project received
funding from emda to the value of £4m through the European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Sub Regional Investment
Programme (SRIP) to complete the partnership project. Developer
William Davis contributed complementary work space as part of the
project to the value of £1m and Harborough District Council
has added £200,000 and will be the owner of the
building.
Harborough District Council has recently received submissions
from prospective management companies.
The centre is on target to open in July 2011.