Details have been released for businesses aspiring to be part of Britain’s newest and most innovative cyber and digital technology community at The Golden Valley Development in Cheltenham.
Real estate adviser Avison Young has been appointed to work alongside Cheltenham Borough Council to introduce the UK’s first 24/7 campus dedicated to the growing cyber–tech sector to businesses keen to join this integrated, sustainable community.
Cyber Central UK sits at the heart of plans for one of the UK’s flagship mixed use schemes, the Golden Valley Development, which aims to deliver thousands of new homes, 2m sq ft of commercial floorspace, improved transport links, green spaces and leisure attractions.
Cheltenham’s long established and thriving high-tech ecosystem has already attracted some of the world’s leading household tech names, including Microsoft, Apple and IBM, to have a presence in the town where they can rub shoulders with innovators, start-ups and the UK’s brightest academic minds.
Home to GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre, the borough is a focal point for this sector with 11 times more cyber businesses than the UK average, making it the UK’s highest concentration of such firms outside London.
Without a brick being laid or tree planted, the Golden Valley Development has already been awarded prestigious “Garden Community” status by Homes England, which described the integrated plans for a world class cyber and digital tech campus surrounded by homes and green spaces as “unique”.
Now, with plans for the scheme developing fast, there are opportunities for dynamic, innovative and like-minded businesses to be a part of this one-off community that will be an exemplar for design, environmental sustainability and smart infrastructure.
This community will have a range of shared amenities that may include teaching and lab spaces, both formal and informal meeting spaces, event space, catering facilities and a visitor attraction.
Additional amenities such as food/leisure/retail facilities, shared academic and teaching facilities, and hotel and conferencing are also planned.
Paul Williams, Director, Avison Young says, “The Golden Valley Development will be a sustainable mixed-use scheme integrating Cyber Central UK as part of an innovative Garden Community, comprising up to 2 million sq ft of commercial floorspace and over 3,000 new homes, challenging the existing norms relating to design and sustainability particularly in response to the climate change agenda.
“We’re keen to talk to cyber and tech businesses who recognise the potential to be at the heart of this vibrant and environmentally progressive, 24/7 campus. This is the chance to be part of a new kind of working environment, focussed around the rapidly growing, world-leading cyber and digital tech sector in Cheltenham.”
He adds, “From start-ups to existing businesses looking for new opportunities, we’d encourage anyone looking to find out more, to get in touch.”
