ITS TRANSFORMATION has been months in the making. Now a brand new £14 million hub supporting start-up businesses in creative industries has opened its doors in Northampton.
Vulcan Works provides lettable office space, workshops, meeting rooms and co-working spaces for business owners from its newly revitalised space in the heart of Northampton’s Cultural Quarter.
Extensive construction works in the Grade II listed former ironworks factory pictured below have created an impressive, state-of-the-art centre for local businesses that remains true to the building’s heritage.
Garrick Hurter, centre manager for Oxford Innovation Space which runs the building, said: “We have been busy preparing the centre ready for everyone to see, getting signage approved and making sure all the infrastructure is raring to go. Now we are proud to open our doors and welcome the business community, who I know will be wowed by the incredible facilities on offer.”
Vulcan Works is expected to support around 150 start-up businesses in its first ten years, creating around 500 jobs in the area. The centre has also pledged to work with local contractors and agencies, ploughing more money back into the local economy. The refurbishment works have been funded by West Northamptonshire Council and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, which facilitated a Local Growth Fund contribution of £6.3 million, together with £3.06 million from the European Regional Development Fund.
Cllr Daniel Lister, West Northamptonshire Council’s cabinet member for economic development, town centre regeneration and growth, said: “I am immensely proud that Northampton now boasts such an innovative and inspirational hub for fledgling creative start-ups, giving them the tailored support they need to flourish.
“Vulcan Works has been a hugely exciting project to be involved with and I am delighted with how the space looks and feels. I look forward to seeing the countless success stories that will, no doubt, come from this fantastic venture.”
