World-class innovation hubs in and around Bristol specialising in sectors ranging from aerospace and automotive to food and drink are a step closer following the announcement of extra growth funding for the West of England from the government.
The pioneering centres have been included on a list of schemes likely to be paid for from a government cash boost of £52.8m for the region announced yesterday by Communities Secretary Sajid Javid. 
The funding will be aimed at projects that help create jobs, support businesses and encourage growth.
The schemes would strengthen the Bristol area as a world-beating location in areas such as advanced engineering, food and drink production and nuclear power.
A number – such as the food and drink innovation centre – have appeared on ‘wish lists’ for the area for several years but have failed to gain government financial backing.
The funding pledged by Mr Javid yesterday moves them a step closer to reality.
The schemes include:
iAero – Aerospace Innovation Hub. An aerospace and advanced engineering innovation hub on the Filton Airfield development site. Phase 1 would lead to the development of a supply chain cluster feeding into the nearby aerospace firms such as Airbus, GKN and Rolls-Royce.
The Bristol and Bath Science Park Grow on centre (GO2). Fund would be used for land acquisition, design and build of a two-storey 55,000 sq ft building with office, hybrid workshop/lab and collaboration spaces.
Quantum Innovations Factory. A 3,200 sq mfacility also at Bristol and Bath Science Park for collaborative technology development with businesses start-up and co-location space. Funding for land acquisition; constructing and equipping the facility.
SW Food and Drink InnovationsCentre. Phase 1 on five acres at Weston Business Quarter at J21 of the M5. It would include a Defra-backed food enterprise zone site including a business engagement centre, small incubator food-grade business units and product proving units.
IAAPS – Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems. A purpose-built global centre of excellence, pictured, to research and develop the car engines of the future, including next generation low carbon vehicles. A collaboration led by the University of Bath, with a numerous universities and businesses, including Ford and Jaguar Land Rover, it would also be built on the Bristol and Science Park.
Nucleate – Nuclear futures Open Innovations and Technology Centre. University of Bristol led technology centre for a 3,500 sq m facility housing state-of-the-art nuclear technology laboratories and equipment, an early stage incubator for start-up businesses and open innovation environments for co-location of nuclear primes, SMEs, other nuclear businesses and nuclear regulators.
Skills capital: A programme allocation for FE Skills Capital funding, building on the process and outcomes delivered by the five projects in the initial two rounds: Weston College Future Technology Centre, Weston College Law and Professional Services Academy, City of Bristol College Advanced Engineering Centre Extension, B&NES Construction Skills Centre in Norton Radstock and S&B Automotive Virtual Reality Training in Skills.
Pinch Points and Sustainable transport: Economic and wider benefits of targeted investment to reduce congestion and promote sustainable transport focused on enterprise zones and areas.
Mr Javid said: “We are putting local people in control and backing them with the powers and resources they need to reach their potential.
“We’re investing an extra £52.8m on top of the £230.7m we’ve already provided to local people – money which will create thousands of jobs, boost business and support growth right across the region.”
The funding will be distributed by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which brings together the sub-region’s four local authorities with large and small businesses to identify local economic priorities and lead economic growth and job creation.
LEP chair Stephen Robertson said: “Through the previous Growth Deals we have already delivered projects including the completed Weston College Future Technology Centre and the University of England Robotics Centre, alongside many other exciting projects coming soon. We continue to focus on transport, innovations and skills, reducing barriers to growth and maximising shared investment opportunities.
“Having outperformed the expectations for job growth and match funding agreed with government, this £53m Growth Deal 3 funding provides the opportunity to enhance our programme of priorities, enabling us to work with our partners to achieve greater success in terms of increased productivity, jobs and economic growth.”
Decisions on which projects will funded will be made by the LEP after further evaluation of scheme business cases.
Each project is assessed on the benefits it will bring to the area and the potential to stimulate innovation, create jobs, improve educational attainment, unlock homes or improve infrastructure.
Since opening in 2011, the Bristol & Bath Science Park at Emersons Green has attracted more than 40 tenants, helping create 350 jobs.
