Innovative plans to create hundreds of jobs and generate £1.6 million for frontline County Council services were unveiled by the Secretary of State for Communities during a visit to the Midlands on 16 August.
Leading software company, The Access Group, is expanding its headquarters and moving into a new 100,000 sq ft office on the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP).
The announcement was made jointly in Loughborough by the Midlands Engine Ministerial Champion Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, Leicestershire County Council and Loughborough University.
Investment in the new office space by Leicestershire County Council will see the creation of over 500 new jobs and £1.6 million a year for vital frontline county council services. It is believed to be the largest, single-occupier office deal in the county this century.
The Access Group has 15,000 customers and develops a range of business software for clients including Leicester City Football Club, Cineworld, Itsu, Burts Crisps and Domino’s Pizza.
The venture has been made possible thanks to a pioneering partnership between Leicestershire County Council and Loughborough University.
The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said: "Investment by Leicestershire County Council in the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park underlines the strength of the region as a great place to do business as well as driving growth and innovation.
"I'm delighted The Access Group has chosen to expand its headquarters in Loughborough, supporting the creation of jobs and providing a boost for the local economy."
Leicestershire County Council deputy leader, Byron Rhodes, said: “This is a real boon for our local economy, and I’m delighted we’ve secured this forward-thinking deal.”
Construction will begin early next year and the completed office is anticipated to be ready during 2020.
Loughborough University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Allison, said: “LUSEP is already established as one of the largest Science Parks in the UK. We are delighted that The Access Group will have such a significant presence amongst LUSEP’s vibrant and well-established innovation community.”
Jon Jorgensen, Chief Sales Officer at The Access Group, said: “As one of the fastest growing UK software companies, we needed to focus on the right location for our expansion. We decided that Loughborough is a logical choice, giving us access to skilled people from the University and the surrounding area, along with excellent infrastructure connections to the whole of the UK.”
Sir John Peace, Chairman of Midlands Engine, said: “This is a shining example of how the public and private sector can work together to generate jobs, boosts skills and bolsters the local economy, as well as creating valuable income for the County Council.
“The Midlands is the beating heart of our nation and this investment will help our region’s people and businesses to prosper.”
