09.05.05
RDA Plans £10 Million Business Incubation Facility at Tremough Campus

South West RDA Chairman Juliet Williams (right) with CUC Co-ordinator Gordon Kelly (left) at the site of the proposed business incubation facility at Treliever Cross

The South West Regional Development Agency has announced on 9th May the acquisition of a 3.2 acre site next to the Tremough campus near Penryn for the creation of a new £10 million business incubation facility linked to the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC). Tremough is shared by the University of Exeter in Cornwall and University College Falmouth as part of the CUC initiative.

The site, at Treliever Cross on the main A39 Truro to Falmouth road, has been earmarked by the RDA and Objective One for a landmark 50,000 sq ft building to provide offices and workspace for new businesses emerging from or working closely with the CUC. Juliet Williams, chairman of the South West RDA, visited the site recently with CUC co-ordinator Gordon Kelly to unveil a new sign announcing the RDA's acquisition. She said: "Forging close links between Higher Education and business is a priority in the RDA's regional economic strategy and delivering high quality incubation development space at Tremough will achieve just that. This project is essential to harness the CUC's potential for the creation of knowledge and research based businesses in Cornwall and with them quality new jobs in key sectors like environmental technology and the creative industries."

The CUC's Gordon Kelly said: "The CUC is already playing a major role in developing a knowledge economy in Cornwall by providing businesses with access to specialist expertise and cutting edge technology. By securing this key site next to the Tremough campus, the RDA has ensured that new and growing businesses will be able to take full advantage of the CUC's extensive knowledge base."

The South West RDA will deliver the new workspace and offices in partnership with the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The scheme is expected to require an estimated £10 million of investment.

The RDA will shortly start work on a design for the scheme before submitting planning and funding applications, with a view to work starting on site next year. The RDA has invested substantially in the Combined Universities in Cornwall, including £12.78 million for the CUC's first phase and an additional £3.7 million towards the delivery of Phase Two.

For further information contact Jason Clark at Deborah Clark & Associates Ltd on 01872 276276 or email: jason@dclark.co.uk; or David Kirk, PR & Communications Manager, CUC on 01326 370471.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall project through European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

The RDA was created in April 1999 to further the economic development and regeneration of the region; to promote business efficiency, investment and competitiveness; to promote employment; to develop the skills relevant to employment; and to contribute to sustainable development.

For more information contact:
Jason Clark
Deborah Clark & Associates
01872 276276
07980 834368
jason@dclark.co.uk

David Kirk
PR & Communications Manager
Combined Universities in Cornwall
01326 370471

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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