Plans for £18 million Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14, Stowmarket, given green light

Plans for an £18 million skills and innovation centre aimed at supporting growing businesses have been approved.

The three-storey, state-of-the-art centre will be built at Gateway 14, in Stowmarket, which is the business, innovation and logistics park that forms part of Freeport East, off junction 50 of the A14.

The 35,000sqft building will include office space for high growth start-ups, collaboration and innovation spaces, training and meeting rooms and a café.

Cllr Richard Winch, cabinet member for housing and property at Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “This is such a significant moment for what is an incredibly exciting project and one which will not only be greatly beneficial for Stowmarket, but the much wider area too.

“The Skills and Innovation Centre is set to be a hub for talented local businesses with a particular focus on the green economy, digital and AI technology while not only helping to bridge the skills gap, but allowing firms to grow, innovate and encourage more inward investment.

“We have ticked the boxes and jumped the hurdles, now is the time for us to deliver on our promises and bring these plans to life.”

Property developer Jaynic is leading the project as the development partner for Gateway 14, a subsidiary fully owned by Mid Suffolk District Council.

Freeport East agreed £16.66 million funding for the centre earlier this year with the council meeting the remaining cost.

The new centre will join the growing site which has seen much success with the launch of the 1.17 million sqft distribution centre for The Range which created 1,650 jobs in the area.

Earlier this year saw planning permission granted for two buildings to be occupied by manufacturers of sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials — and construction has started on one of these buildings, a 44,000sqft facility for Bauder, an international manufacturer.

Steve Beel, chief executive for Freeport East, said: "This is great news for Gateway 14 and Freeport East, and an important next step in growing and diversifying the economy of Stowmarket and the wider Mid-Suffolk area.

“Sustainability and enterprise are at the heart of this new centre and will help to attract a range of new businesses to the area, from local start-ups and SMEs to international brands.

“Positioned between the UK’s largest trading gateway at Felixstowe and the world-class knowledge assets of Cambridge and the wider East of England, it offers an unrivalled location and positions our region as a top choice for ambitious businesses in the high-growth green economy.”