Stoneleigh-based innovation centre has doubled in size

 A £750,000 centre which aims to help small businesses grow has been officially opened at a Warwickshire science park.

Phase two of Stoneleigh Park’s Rural Innovation Centre was opened by Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright.

The original centre has been doubled in size by LaSalle Investment Management following an investment of around £750,000 as part of its transformation of Stoneleigh Park.

The refurbishment of an existing adjacent building has created an additional 20 serviced offices and two meeting rooms designed for businesses which range from two to eight people.

Thirty of the 35 available offices are currently let out to both new and expanding businesses and the centre expects to reach full occupancy soon.

The first phase of the Rural Innovation Centre was part of the Warwickshire Rural Growth Network, funded by DEFRA and led by Warwickshire County Council on behalf of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership. 

Liz Burkinshaw, who manages the Rural Innovation Centre, said: “Since the centre opened in 2013 we have seen a huge number of businesses grow, with several either taking on additional office space here or expanding elsewhere."

“The quality of the offices, flexibility of the lease terms and support that companies can tap into make it a very attractive base for businesses looking to get off the ground or take a step up to the next level.

“The completion of phase two of the Rural Innovation Centre means we now have a suite of 35 offices and with only a few offices remaining it’s clear that there is a huge demand from local businesses.”