Plans for a new business hub in the heart of Pioneer Park, Leicester’s innovation and technology park, have moved a step closer with the appointment of a design team to take the project forward.
Leicester City Council has selected rg+p Ltd and Idom to deliver Dock 2, which will create 20,000 sq ft light industrial space including offices and workspaces. Situated on Exploration Drive between the existing Dock site and the National Space Centre, the proposed Dock 2 will offer self-contained units for firms which have outgrown the existing Dock or other growing technology businesses.
Leicester-based rg+p Ltd will act as project managers and quantity surveyors, alongside international firm, Idom as lead consultant and architect.
Mitch Dale, director at rg+p commented: “This is a really significant appointment for rg+p. As a local firm, we have watched the development of Leicester’s Pioneer Park with interest and are very pleased to be able to oversee the next phase in its expansion.
“We are keen for Dock 2 to integrate and complement its surrounds, as well as providing workspaces to engender creativity and innovation. In the coming months we will be developing a design concept and obtaining planning permission as well as managing the tender process to appoint contractors. “
Demand for workspaces at Dock 2 has been identified following the success of Dock, which is now home to more than 40 hi-tech small businesses. Luke Pulford, workspace manager at Dock, will also manage Dock 2.
Leicester’s City Major Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Our ambition is to establish Pioneer Park as a hub for technology and knowledge-based industries, encouraging enterprise and creating jobs. Our plans for Dock 2 will be another step forward, providing flexible grow-on space for technology businesses, right next door to the thriving community at Dock.
Javier Quintana, architectural director at Idom added: “Dock 2 is a very exciting project for us to be involved in. We look forward to creating a building of which Leicester will be proud.”
Funding of £150,000 from Leicester City Council’s Economic Action Plan will support the next stage of Dock 2’s development, covering design and feasibility works. Dock 2 will be built on a brownfield site between Dock and the National Space Centre. The council hopes to complete the purchase of the land, which is owned by the Homes and Communities Agency, in 2016.
