A scheme to transform an historic building at Bristol Temple Meads Station into a centre for world-class innovation has been given top-level backing.
Bristol Mayor George Ferguson and University of Bristol vice chancellor Professor Eric Thomas signed a partnership agreement to redevelop Brunel’s iconic Engine Shed into an innovation and business centre.
Shortly after the signing ceremony Mayor Ferguson headed off by train to Cannes as part of a high-powered delegation to promote the West of England at MIPIM, the international property and development event. The Engine Shed scheme is central to the marketing of the region, which is taking place under the Invest in Bristol and Bath brand.
A planning application has been submitted that, subject to approval, will make the Engine Shed the headquarters for Invest in Bristol and Bath, accommodating representatives from the four West of England Unitary Authority areas, and act as a ‘shopfront’ for potential investors in the region. It will also become the local base for UK Trade & Investment.
The building will be managed by Bristol SETsquared – the University of Bristol’s double award-winning business incubator – who will take the majority of the space to provide premium serviced offices for its high growth, technology businesses. Around 20 companies will move in here with a further 40 businesses using the business centre’s resources and facilities including hot desks, breakout spaces and meeting rooms. In total, there will be space for 120 people.
Core to The Engine Shed will be a business lounge and co-working and collaboration spaces for academics, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and business leaders.
Pictured, from left: Prof Eric Thomas, vice chancellor of the University of Bristol; George Ferguson, Bristol Mayor; Joe McGeehan, chair of Invest in Bristol and Bath; and John Calway, leader South Gloucestershire Council
