A MULTI-MILLION pound science, technology and creative business centre is celebrating a milestone achievement.

The purpose-built Innovation Centre, based at the University of Essex’s Knowledge Gateway, opened its doors in April 2019.

The £12million centre is now home to 31 businesses with seven further virtual customers and three hot desk member companies.

Experts at the centre are now looking to the future with renewed confidence after a successful year of bringing in fresh businesses, despite many working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

They are now celebrating surpassing 50 per cent occupancy within the premises, with further companies lined up to join in the coming months.

In total, Innovation Centre businesses now employ more than 85 staff, boosting job opportunities within Colchester. 

Bosses revealed its annual customer survey also shows its community of businesses is seeing the benefits of being based at the centre, with a 92 per cent satisfaction score from customers.

Innovation Centre director Neil Griffin said: “With the new wave of digital flowing through into new business creation, we have seen more than 18 new businesses enter the centre with a further four growing and upgrading office space in the year and another three right on the cusp of joining us.

“We are pleased to say as of the end of October we are 56per cent full. Now we are building some good momentum. We are proud of that achievement and there is even more reason to be optimistic with other businesses signing up in November and December

“We are clearly attracting the right talent to the area”