Diggers start on business centre

The innovation centre succeeds a smaller enterprise hub

A business centre designed to make Canterbury more attractive for University of Kent graduates to stay in the area has moved a step closer.

Minister for the South East, Jonathan Shaw, started the diggers rolling on Wednesday for the £7.3m Canterbury Innovation Centre.

The centre, due to open in October 2009, will provide 25,000 sq ft of offices, studios and workshops.

It is being funded by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

A spokeswoman said it was hoped the centre would be able to support the expected economic upturn.

The university has tested demand for the innovation centre by setting up a smaller pilot scheme at the campus called the Canterbury Enterprise Hub.

It currently has a waiting list of businesses.

"I am very pleased that work is now under way on the new innovation centre," said the university's Vice Chancellor Julia Goodfellow.

"It will provide a range of opportunities for both the university and region and we are looking forward to working with SEEDA to make it a success."