Tech companies drive innovation centre occupancy
Uptake rises by almost a fifth in last 12 months
A BUSINESS centre in Lee-onthe-Solent is bucking trends and has seen its occupancy level rise, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Occupancy at Fareham Innovation Centre, which is at Daedalus, has risen by 17 per cent over the past 12 months with a series of signings and on-site expansions.
With 55 serviced offices and 20 fully occupied workshops, the centre is now home to 60 SMEs – many of which are involved in technology.
Designed for start-ups and early-stage businesses, the centre, by Solent Airport, provides a supportive ecosystem for occupiers in marine, aviation, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing.
The centre is run by Oxford Innovation on behalf of building owner Fareham Borough Council.
Centre director Stephen Brownlie said: ‘Just over 6,000 sq ft has been signed up from a range of tech businesses over the past year, with occupancy increasing by 17 per cent since May 2020.
‘This shows optimism and confidence by new and expanding occupiers – they have been planning ahead beyond the challenges posed by Covid-19 restrictions.
‘Our customers are telling us that the centre offers a supportive ecosystem and is suited to the new flexible working trend highlighted in a topical survey by Microsoft in the UK and globally.
‘We’re also being told by smaller businesses that they prefer the financial reassurance of monthly licences rather than committing to long-term office leases where you’re tied down for a set number of years.’
Business support ranges from one-to-one mentoring, workshops, signposted funding opportunities, seminars, programmes and, with the universities of Southampton, Solent and Portsmouth, internships; there are also apprenticeships through Fareham College.
Latest occupiers include Ecomar Propulsion, a specialist in zero emission marine engines with a 398 sq ft workshop, and Carnage Digital, an interactive leisure and entertainment software developer, with a 204 sq ft office.
TestTech Global, which provides hardware and software solutions, moved into a 258 sq ft office, as has advanced electronics communications firm Marlborough Communications. Wearable technology specialist Guided Knowledge signed up to 1,883 sq ft of office and workshop combined.