Take up of Knowledge Gateway Business Space

The request was successful.

Dear University of Essex,

I would like to know the following information about the Knowledge Gateway:

(i) When did the space first become available for businesses to move in?

(ii) How many units are available?

(iii) How many units have been taken up as of 16 January, 2015?

(iv) How has the Knowledge Gateway been marketed to Colchester businesses?

(v) Which business sectors have been targeted?

(vi) Has any discount been offered to Colchester based businesses? If so, what is the level of discount available?

Thank you

Yours faithfully,

Jason Cobb

Freedom Of Information Requests, University of Essex

Dear Jason

Thank you for your enquiry. I will respond as soon as I am able and in any case within the 20 working days allowed. If you have any further questions in the meantime do please contact me.

Regards

Sara

Sara Stock
Information Manager
Governance Office
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
Essex
CO4 3SQ

T +44 (0)1206 874853
E [University of Essex request email]

show quoted sections

Stock, Sara J, University of Essex

Dear Jason

 

I am writing to respond to your Freedom of Information request about the
Knowledge Gateway.

 

(i) When did the space first become available for businesses to move in?

The buildings forming the first phase of the Parkside Office Village
reached Practical Completion in June 2014, although availability for
business to move in has to some extent been delayed due to the need to
finalise a broadband connection which took longer

 

(ii) How many units are available?

The development consists of nine self-contained buildings.

 

(iii) How many units have been taken up as of 16 January, 2015?

Of these nine buildings, two had been physically occupied and two more had
been either taken through the completion of a lease or the agreement of
Heads of Terms with a view to an imminent completion of a lease.  Another
unit was being set up to meet the demand from student entrepreneurs
wanting space from which to launch businesses while studying. In other
words only four buildings remained available as of 16 January 2015.

 

(iv) How has the Knowledge Gateway been marketed to Colchester businesses?

New marketing boards have been erected on the main A133 frontage,
advertisements placed in the local press, open days held on site, an entry
placed in the new Colchester Borough Council Business Directory, details
set out on the University’s website ([1]http://www.essex.ac.uk/business/ )
and local property agents Whybrow instructed. A range of visits and event
were also arranged in order to brief local partners such as the local
councils (Essex, Tendring and Colchester), the Chamber of Commerce and
other groups.

 

(v) Which business sectors have been targeted?

The open days and advertising were intended to raise awareness generally
but the main intention has been to attract businesses that would benefit
from closer working with the University, whether that be through using
students, research expertise or some of the programmes that support
business development offered by the University (for example through its
Business School), and particularly in areas of University specialisms such
as Data Analytics, Financial Services, Professional Services, Creative
Industries and Technology

 

(vi) Has any discount been offered to Colchester based businesses? If so,
what is the level of discount available?

No specific discounts have been offered to Colchester businesses but all
terms are negotiable.

 

You can find out more about the Knowledge Gateway on our website
[2]http://www.essex.ac.uk/business/base/kno...

 

Please contact me if you have any questions about this response. You may
also like to speak to our Communications team on 02016 872400. I’ve copied
them in so that they are aware of your request.

 

Regards

 

Sara

 

Sara Stock

Information Manager

Governance Office

University of Essex

Wivenhoe Park

Colchester

Essex

CO4 3SQ

 

T +44 (0)1206 874853

E [email address]

 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.essex.ac.uk/business/
2. http://www.essex.ac.uk/business/base/kno...