The Quadrant, a new flexible workspace at Dorset Innovation Park, Wool has welcomed its first occupiers.
Pictured left: 'INNOVATION' - First occupiers to move into The Quadrant at the Dorset Innovation Park is Britflift. Pictured is MD Liam Botting (left) and Anthony Culshaw of Britlift at their new unit.
Twenty units were opened at The Quadrant earlier this year, setting the park on course to become the county’s main centre of advanced engineering excellence.
The Quadrant was designed and developed by Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council in partnership with Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as part of the park’s wider aim to cater for the area’s growing marine, defence and energy sectors.
Leading designer, manufacturer and exporter of lifting equipment, Britlift were the very first new occupiers at The Quadrant.
They have been joined by security and safety service provider - Hugslock Systems Ltd; unmanned system solution company - Zeus UAV; local catering supply company - Legion Events; and the local coastguard rescue operations unit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Britflift MD, Liam Botting, explained what attracted him to relocating to the site: “The new units look fantastic and are well located for our needs.
“They are also well-sized and serviced, and the fact they are within a secure location alongside other engineering companies was a real positive.
“Dorset Innovation Park is being created to be a hub of engineering and manufacturing which suits us perfectly as an innovative engineering company.
“Being the first company to move into The Quadrant and being involved in the Innovation Park from this very early stage is exciting.”
Fellow new occupiers, Hugslock Systems said by moving to The Quadrant they would have the added benefit of network support.
MD Denise Huggett said: “Moving here was an opportunity to be part of more than just a standard industrial park and just renting a unit.
“Being a tenant on the Innovation Park means we have a network of support available and access to a wide variety of organisations and businesses that are all committed to the economic growth of Dorset.
“Dorset LEP and the various organisations involved recognise that through collaboration and supporting each other we can all help each other to grow and support the growth of Dorset.
“For us the location, the support, the expansion plans in place for the years to come and the quality of the space offered were all positives.”
Situated in south Dorset near Wool, the Innovation Park lies at the intersection of the burgeoning marine, defence, energy and aerospace clusters.
It offers a secure facility and the presence of two world leaders in defence technology - Atlas Elektronik UK and QinetiQ.
When fully developed and occupied the 56-hectare Innovation Park is expected to generate around 2,000 new jobs and attract dozens of businesses to the area.
Target businesses that locate to the site benefit from up to five years of business rate reductions (up to £275,000) and access to ultrafast broadband.
The campus-style setting aims to be major force for the economic regeneration of South Dorset and a vital stimulus for employment.
Jim Stewart, Dorset LEP Chairman, said: “It is wonderful to welcome our first occupiers to the recently launched Dorset Innovation Park.
“Dorset’s economy stands to benefit greatly from this designated Enterprise Zone as it attracts more businesses to relocate to it so they can grow and expand.
“We have impressive strengths in engineering, marine and defence and the Innovation Park makes for a perfect base for these industries to flourish.”
Councillor Cherry Brooks, Economy and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Councillor, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome these exciting new businesses to The Quadrant.
“The whole Innovation Park is vitally important to the district and county, so we are committed to its success. These new businesses at The Quadrant add to the mix of other high quality businesses already on site.”
Ten workshop units are currently available at the Quadrant. For more information please contact the sole marketing agents Sibbett Gregory on 01202 661177, email Jayne@sibbettgregory.com or Jonathan@sibbettgregory.com