Northamptonshire is set to position itself as one of the UK’s top destinations for arts and culture – thanks to dramatic expansion plans at the Portfolio Innovation Centre.
The Centre – which is already home to some of the region’s most exciting creative, digital and design industries - is based at The University of Northampton’s Avenue Campus and was launched in 2006 to help dynamic and vibrant start-ups in the region become established, profitable success stories.
In its pilot two years the Centre supported more than 25 start-ups and young companies. Now, thanks to nearly £3.15million of additional funding from West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC), Arts Council England and Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd (NEL), the Centre is trebling in size. Expansion plans are already underway, the builders will be on site from July and, by early 2009 up to 45 businesses will be able to call Portfolio Innovation Centre their home.
Centre Manager, Wendy Nikolaidis, said: “Expansion plans are underway and we are looking forward to being able to support 30 additional businesses from next year. Our current one floor site will be transformed into a three storey Centre, complete with workshops, offices, three meeting rooms, central work stations, printers, photocopiers, expanded kitchen and networking space, the latest technology infrastructure and digital telephony.
Central to the expansion plans will be making the Centre as environmentally friendly as possible. The building will confirm to BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method) environmental standards, and this will include having ‘brise soleil’ sunshading - which ensures the building does not overheat in summer months, thus reducing the need for mechanical cooling. There will also be ambient, energy and water saving technologies.
A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes in the last few months. The final drawings were submitted in January and planning consent has since been given for the proposed development. The building work will be going out to tender at the beginning of May and it is expected that the constructors will be on site for six months. The car parks at Avenue Campus are currently being redeveloped in anticipation of the start of the building work and the new Portfolio Innovation Centre car park is already under construction.
Wendy added: “There are more than 1,800 creative industries in Northamptonshire and the sector brings around £610million into the region’s economy. The Portfolio Innovation Centre is at the heart of this success and we pride ourselves on offering young companies an environment which provides all the tools, advice and resources needed to achieve and exceed business potential. The Centre nurtures talent and helps companies succeed.”
Funding for the Centre’s expansion plans has come from West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC), Arts Council England and Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd (NEL).
New tenants are already lining up for space in the newly expanded Centre. Tenants must be innovative, dedicated entrepreneurs from the design, digital and creative sector. Current tenants include photographers, a jewellery designer, a computer games development team, product and graphic designers, illustrators and marketing innovators, and a music agency.