1,000 jobs at MIRA extension
PLANS to extend Hinckley’s MIRA Technology Park on a 92-acre site could create over 1,000 jobs in our area.
Based on the A5, the technology park and enterprise zone showcased the land to potential users at an international real estate event in Cannes last week.
The Southern Manufacturing Sector could see a host of automotive manufacturing and research and development businesses take up a home in Hinckley opposite the current HORIBA-MIRA site.
Global manufacturing giants such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Honda, Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover already have a presence at the current facility which is leading the way in the development of electricity powered and driverless vehicles.
Jobs covering a variety of skill sets and sectors are expected to be created and a public consultation on planning to give the local community a say on any proposed development is expected this year.
Terry Spall, commercial director at MIRA Technology Park said: “This is an exciting development for MIRA Technology Park, which is set to bring a significant level of manufacturing capability to the area.
“With the unique R&D facilities and expertise already housed on the Technology Park, the Southern Manufacturing Sector represents an enticing proposition for prospective land users, which has already received international interest.
“MIPIM itself is one of the most important events within the property industry (and allowed) us to showcase what MIRA Technology Park – and the region as a whole - has to offer.”
MIRA Technology Park attended MIPIM as a member of the Coventry and Warwickshire MIPIM Partnership, which is made up of around 20 private sector companies and organisations who help finance the partnership’s presence at the four-day event.
Ian Flynn, inward invest manager, Invest in Warwickshire said: “The UK Midlands auto cluster is a major centre of auto R&D in Europe, including autonomous vehicles and EV technology research, and HORIBA-MIRA has long been a key part of this.
“The new Southern Manufacturing Site adds high-tech auto manufacture to the existing R&D offer at MIRA Technology Park.
“This is excellent news for local tech and auto companies looking for space to expand and new ones looking to get into the UK auto supply chain, with local OEMs including Aston Martin, BMW, Geely LEVC, Jaguar Land Rover and Toyota just a short drive away.
“For those interested in the opportunities to support investment into the new manufacturing site, MIPIM presents the perfect opportunity to find out more.”
In recent years, the infrastructure surrounding MIRA Technology Park has undergone a series of comprehensive upgrades. The highways were improved in 2014, with a new dual carriageway and junction upgrades facilitating growth along this area of the A5 - a major connecting road to some of the UK’s largest motorways – and sustainable transport measures have been put in place to connect the site to local areas.
In 2015, a series of extensive upgrades to power and other services were implemented, accommodating the expected future growth of the Technology Park.