£4m ‘House of Growth’ now open for business
CORNWALL’S new £4.2 million business hub has opened and is expected to create jobs and provide a major boost for the Duchy’s economy.
Cornwall Council’s latest workspace development project, Pool Innovation Centre 2 – Grow On Space, will be known as Chi Tevyans, Cornish for House of Growth.
It is located opposite the original Pool Innovation Centre (PIC) and offers 12 office suites for growing or relocating small and medium sized businesses.
The project has been enabled thanks to £2.3 million funding from the European Regional Development Fund, matched by £1.9 million from Cornwall Council.
The building, which was safely completed despite the challenges of the pandemic, is part of the council’s plans to support business development and economic growth and is expected to create 40 jobs and contribute £1.5 million to the economy.
It was officially opened by Councillor Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, who said: “This impressive new development is proof of the council’s determination to invest in innovative projects that encourage and support business.
“These new workspaces will support larger, growing businesses that will in turn create skilled and wellpaid jobs for our residents.
“Our economy is not just about tourism and we are leading the way in developing world-class work spaces, support and facilities to help businesses grow.”
Chi Tevyans was brought forward to address the current lack of suitable workspace for enterprises looking to expand or move to the Camborne, Pool, Illogan and Redruth area.
It builds on a decade of success for PIC – during which 120 innovative and emerging companies have been supported, creating more than 350 jobs – and puts in place the infrastructure to help established businesses grow as part of their next stage of development.
Built by Kier Construction Ltd and targeting a ‘BREEAM’ sustainability “excellent” standard, the three-storey building provides 12 energy-efficient office suites, ranging from 86 to 122sq m, with the added flexibility to sub-divide the offices to either create extra offices for separate tenants, or multiple offices for a single tenant.
It boasts excellent connectivity through ultrafast “fibre to the premise” technology, has the advantage of being close to Pool Innovation Centre’s business hub and is within easy reach of the A30.
Chi Tevyans is part of a suite of new high-quality business premises and plots across Cornwall that are owned by Cornwall Council and managed by Cornwall Development Company on its behalf.
The aim is to provide new workspace that can support skilled, wellpaid jobs and help meet the Growth Programme’s aim of delivering smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Beth Taylor-Stubbs, commercial property manager at Cornwall Development Company, said: “Chi Tevyans is a fantastic new resource for Cornwall and we are already seeing significant interest from businesses looking to benefit from the top-class facilities, excellent location and the opportunity to be part of what is an increasingly vibrant business community in and around Pool.”