Cumberland completes £12m Workington Innovation Centre
Main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has wrapped work on the 19,600 sq ft Town Deal project, which will provide workspace for start-ups and small companies specialising in digital technology and the digitisation of advanced manufacturing.
Oxford Innovation Space will operate the Workington Innovation Centre for Cumberland Council and has commenced fit-out in line for a summer opening.
Designed by Buttress Architects, the four-storey start-up hub offers a mixture of private and informal meeting rooms, conference spaces, workspaces, and catering facilities. Cycle storage and shower facilities are also included.
The Workington Innovation Centre has an EPC of A. Helping the building’s energy efficiency are air source heat pumps and solar panels on the roof.
The building sits on the site of the former Central Car Park off Roper Street in the town centre of Workington. Its construction had a capital cost of £12.4m and was partly funded through Workington’s successful £23.1m Town Deal bid.
“This is a new and exciting project that is going to benefit the entire Cumberland community,” said Cumberland Council Leader Cllr Mark Fryer.
“The Innovation Centre will give a huge boost to Cumbria’s business community and is also in an ideal place to increase footfall to the town centre and make use of Workington’s transport links.”
Oxford Innovation Space managing director Jo Stevens added: “Beyond high-quality workspace, businesses will benefit from tailored innovation and business support, strong local partnerships, and access to a wider national network of centres.
“We’re already keen to speak with prospective customers who want to be part of this new chapter for Workington.”
During construction, Morgan Sindall diverted 99.97% of construction waste from landfill. It also used hydrotreated vegetable oil instead of diesel to power the machinery used during the build period.
The contractor also completed 211 apprentice weeks as part of the construction programme, as well as a trio of T-Level work placements. This spring, Morgan Sindall will commence improving the land around the Workington stretch of Hadrian’s Cycleway – a 170-mile cycle route that connects at Ravenglass and ends at South Shields.
In addition to Buttress and Morgan Sindall, the project team for Workington Innovation Centre included Layer.studio, Virtual Planit, SCP, Mott MacDonald, OFR Consultants, and MZA Acoustics.
Want to see the original plans for the building? Search FUL/2023/0191 on Cumberland Council’s planning portal.
