£300k boost for Chesterfield Innovation Centres

A major upgrade is on the cards to improve the digital connectivity and conference facilities at the Chesterfield Innovation Centres.

Tapton Park Innovation Centre and Dunston Innovation Centre – both owned and managed by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce – look set to receive £200,000 investment toward the exciting development.

The project, which will cost in the region of £300,000 will benefit existing tenants at the centres as well as attracting new businesses to the area.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration said: “Chesterfield’s Innovation Centres have proved extremely popular with businesses in the borough.

“They offer quality workspaces, support from the council’s team who staff and service the centres and easy in/easy out terms giving flexibility for businesses to adjust their accommodation requirements to the size of the business.

“Work does need to be carried out, though, to improve the broadband and phone systems in order to meet the needs of modern businesses and to attract new innovative, creative or knowledge-based businesses into Chesterfield.”

A 1GB connection will be the main focus of the upgrade as well as new telephone facilities and refurbished conference suites.

Cabinet members have also made a commitment to include a clause in the contracts for the work for contractors to use local labour and materials where possible.

The work has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet and will be considered by council at the next meeting on Wednesday 15 October.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council