Leicester’s Dock, an innovation centre that houses up to 54 workspaces, was opened yesterday by Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby. The formal opening celebrated the £5.8million centre, which has been completed on time and under budget, and already has 16 tenants across 18 workspaces. Despite the substantial price tag, the building promises to be a central hub for science, space and technology industries, and Sir Peter said that it was “worth every penny”.
The significant amount of funding that Dock received demonstrates the importance of these industries – the economic growth of the city depends on moving with the times and supporting emerging business. Sir Peter emphasized this, arguing that Dock will be constructive to “bringing twenty-first century jobs to twenty-first century Leicester”.
Tenants began to move in to Dock in October, but it is hoped that after the opening it will attract even more businesses who are looking for flexible spaces where they can develop and grow alongside like-minded industry professionals.
Despite having only been open for a few months, it is clear that there is a close-knit community within the building, something that Luke Pulford, the Dock Workspace Manager, has viewed as its unique feature. He has seen strong relationships begin to form already, commenting that “it’s really important that tenants in the building work together and support each other on their projects”.
It is apparent that businesses at Dock will be able to learn from each other, and collectively participate in the growth of these specialist industries that help to put Leicester on the map; a state-of-the-art space fit for the city’s emerging and innovative professions.
