Procured through the SCAPE framework, the development will take over the former TUI Travel House on the Manor Royal Business District and is expected to bring an economic boost to Crawley as it continues to bounce back from the COVID pandemic.
Morgan Sindall marked the start of work on site with a Golden Hammer ceremony that took place on January 31, with Leader of CBC Cllr Michael Jones, Cllr Atif Nawaz, CBC Chief Executive Ian Duke, all in attendance.
Crawley Innovation Centre was a key part of the town's 2022-2037 recovery plan and was agreed by the CBC Planning Committee. It will benefit from £8.4 million in funding from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.
Finished work at the 2,500m sq Innovation Centre will include five workshop rooms, two offices, flexible working space, and a café.
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In line with Morgan Sindall's Intelligent Solutions approach, the project team has engaged with innovative recycling and reusing management company Encore, which ensures that all waste from the preexisting site and throughout construction will be 100% reused or recycled.
As part of the SCAPE framework, Morgan Sindall's Southern Home Counties business is committed to achieving a minimum social value return of 30% on this project. Throughout the construction of the project the team will utilise the local supply chain to ensure a positive impact is made on Crawley's community.
Working alongside Morgan Sindall, MillerBourne Architects, Stephen Wilson Partnership Delta Green and Yellow Wren will help deliver the Crawley Innovation Centre.
Guy Hannell, Morgan Sindall Construction's Southern Home Counties area director, said: "We are really pleased to be working with Crawley Borough Council for the first time as they set upon their ambitious plans to grow the town's economy. The Innovation Centre is set to play a pivotal role in this – not just in the immediate future through jobs and impact to the supply chain – but the legacy this state-of-the-art, sustainable centre will leave for the town."
Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of Crawley Borough Council, said: "It was great to see work start and help – albeit minimally – with the conversion of the building into a state-of-the-art facility. I can't wait to see the progress over the coming months."
Tony Middleton, Chief Executive at Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "Coast to Capital has been delighted to support such a significant project that will deliver growth of innovation-led businesses in Crawley. Crawley Borough Council is to be commended for the investment it has made in creating what will be a hugely important facility creating new jobs and products."
