FDBusiness.com

From 1 August  Torbay Development Agency (TDA) will take over the operation of the Innovation Suite at the South West Energy Centre, South Devon College.

The South West Energy Centre (SWEC), as well as a high quality training facility for full time courses and short industrial courses,  will be a hub to meet the growing demand for high quality research and development, product development, business support and incubation facilities for small to mediums sized businesses (SMEs) in renewable energy and sustainable construction. Businesses can also benefit from the demonstrations of sustainable construction techniques embodied in the Kier Living Passivhaus – a two storey residential house built to use almost zero carbon for
sustainable living.

The TDA Energy and Innovation Suite will feature 6 office spaces of 2.4m x 2.7m (approx 8 feet x 9 feet), therefore approx 70 sq feet in total . In addition, there will be four flexible office spaces with desk space for up to eight people.

The office rental at this latest innovation centre to open in Torbay will be £2,160 per annum, £180per month (plus VAT).  Desk rental is £1,080 per annum per desk or £90per month (plus VAT). There is also availability for virtual tenancy – which gives tenants a professional-facing business address, hot desking space and meeting room access for only £40 per month.

Rental prices include:

o    Easy in/easy out terms – one month’s notice either way.
o    Telephone handset and line rental.
o    50Mbps broadband access
o    Business rates
o    All utility costs including heat, light, water and drainage
o    24/7 secure access.
o    Office services (chargeable for fax, report binding, laminating,
printing and binding)
o    2 year licence with grow on potential to South West Innovation
Centre network.

Mayor of Torbay, Gordon Oliver said: “I am very pleased with this exciting collaboration between some major local partners to create such an innovative new centre in Torbay. And I am delighted to say that the Council’s own innovation centres, operated by Torbay Development Agency, are having a new facility opening at the South West Energy Centre. It is a demonstration of how we are all working together to create a landscape for business success in the Bay.”

Torbay Development Agency Innovation Centre Adrian Sheen said: “It’s very exciting to be opening a new innovation suite at the South Devon Energy Centre, offering tenants an extremely competitive managed workspace opportunity, including access to research and development facilities at Exeter and Plymouth Universities, so we are really creating the right conditions for business success.”

The Centre is arranging an open day for potential students, businesses and the general public on 31 August from 10am to 3pm. More details will be announced soon.

SWEC is part funded by European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme, managed by DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government).