27 March 2015
More good news for £1.5m runway
The airfield at the Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus will be opened up to more aviation investment and use after being granted a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Aerodrome licence.
The success follows directly from the £1.5m invested by Fareham Borough Council into upgrading the airfield’s main runway.
Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Conservative Councillor Seán Woodward, said: ” We have been working closely with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to ensure the continued growth and viability of the airfield. This is another important step in opening up the airfield to a greater variety of aircraft and business opportunities. I would like to thank the HCA and the airfield managers, RCAM for the work they put in towards getting this licence for us. The larger business and corporate aircraft that we can now attract will certainly assist in boosting employment opportunities for those companies maintaining such planes.”
Paul Rankin from Regional & City Airports (RCA) said: “RCA are pleased to announce the successful application and award of an Aerodrome Licence for Daedalus Airfield. RCA submitted to the CAA as part of the application a new Aerodrome Manual and Safety Management System which will enable the airfield to operate to the highest safety standards. The on-going development in the operational team’s capability and competencies and the airfield improvements, including the new runway, will ensure that Daedalus Airfield is the preferred destination and base for General and Corporate Aviation in the South of England.”
ENDS
26 March 2015
Council handed keys to Fareham Innovation Centre, Daedalus
Fareham Borough Council has officially taken over control of Fareham Innovation Centre, Daedalus in a ceremonial key handover event.
Colin Crowther, Construction Director at Bouygues UK – the company charged with delivering the new centre – passed the keys to Leader of the Council, Cllr Seán Woodward and The Mayor of Fareham, Cllr David Norris, to symbolise the building being transferred to the Council from the contractors.
During the day councillors and dignitaries received a tour of the £5.3m facility, which contains office space and workshops for new businesses, with a focus on the engineering, aerospace, aviation and marine industries. The project is set to create around 150 new jobs.
Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Conservative Cllr Seán Woodward, said: “It’s hugely satisfying to reach this point with construction of the Centre complete and new businesses starting to move in. It is particularly impressive that this building has been delivered so quickly; only 12 months ago we didn’t even own the land on which it was built! The companies based here will benefit from top of the range support and facilities. In addition, the building also boasts strong green credentials, achieving a very good environmental score and having a roof covered in solar panels.”
The Innovation Centre will be managed on behalf of Fareham Borough Council by Oxford Innovation. Oxford Innovation has extensive experience in operating state-of-the-art Innovation Centre facilities. Currently managing a network of 21 centres across the UK, used by over 900 companies, Oxford Innovation aim to provide businesses with a structured and supportive environment where companies can readily access first class business support as well as flexible workspace.
Chris Allington, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation’s Business & Innovation Centres division, added: “I am delighted that Oxford Innovation has been appointed to manage this wonderful building. It’s been a pleasure to work with the Fareham Borough Council and Bouygues UK professional teams. We are proud to take on the project from here after such an excellent construction phase. The pre-marketing has gone very well and we will be welcoming our first customers in early April, giving them access to a whole range of facilities, skills and experience. I am confident that this centre will play a key role, alongside CEMAST, in helping the Solent Enterprise Zone to become a flourishing hub of engineering activity for the Solent region.”
The Innovation Centre is part of £8.3m investment from Fareham Borough Council and the Homes and Communities Agency at the Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus, which includes improvements to the runway and building new hangar space. The target businesses which will be based at the Innovation Centre will also be complimentary to the training at the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST). Bouygues UK was also responsible for delivering the new CEMAST building, which was recently shortlisted for a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) regional award.
The Innovation Centre has been supported by a £5.3m investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) which is working with partners to bring thousands of new jobs and investment to the Solent Enterprise Zone. Whilst being an important project in its own right, should be seen in context of Fareham’s commitment to Daedalus and our plans to acquire the whole site.
HCA area manager Esther Croft added: “This centre forms an important part of the efforts to bring new jobs, opportunities and economic growth to the Solent Enterprise Zone.
“We’ve made huge progress since taking responsibility for this site in 2011 and businesses are set to show their support for the enterprise zone by investing and moving onto the site. It’s great to see the centre ready for business.”
Colin Crowther, Construction Director at Bouygues UK, said: “Bouygues UK has a strong reputation for supporting education and commerce in the region – through the delivery of our construction projects as well as our work with schools, colleges and businesses in the area. The Innovation Centre was delivered on time and to budget and adds to our local legacy here in Hampshire, along with CEMAST and our work with Fareham College on its Bishopsfield Road Campus.”
The Innovation Centre opens its doors in April and is due to be formally launched in the summer. For more information or to arrange a viewing, visit www.fareham-ic.co.uk External Hyperlink.
It is estimated that around 3,500 jobs will be created within the Enterprise Zone over the life of the Zone, turning the area into a destination of choice for advanced manufacturing and technology businesses, especially within the marine, aerospace and aviation sectors.
The Enterprise Zone is led by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the local authorities within the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which owns much of the land within the Zone.
Bouygues UK
In recent years, Bouygues UK has increased its presence in the UK through the acquisition of Warings, Thomas Vale, Leadbitter and Denne. These, together with our existing construction and housing operations and those of our property development company, Bouygues Development, position us as a major player with a combined turnover of over £860 million, approximately 130 sites and 1800 people.
Bouygues UK is wholly owned by Bouygues Bâtiment International, a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction. As a global player in construction and services, Bouygues Construction designs, builds and operates buildings and structures which improve the quality of people’s living and working environment: public and private buildings, transport infrastructures and energy and communications networks. A leader in sustainable construction, the Group and its 53,500 employees have a long-term commitment to helping their customers shape a better life. In 2014, Bouygues Construction generated sales of 11.7 billion euros.
Oxford Innovation
Fareham Innovation Centre is managed by Oxford Innovation, the leading operator of business and innovation centres that provide office and laboratory space to companies throughout the UK. The company also provides innovation services to entrepreneurs, including business-planning advice, fund raising, coaching and mentoring. For more information: www.oxin-centres.co.uk External Hyperlink
ENDS
20 March 2015
Free business support launch a success
Local business owners and budding entrepreneurs got a boost on Wednesday evening when they attended the launch of ‘Fareham First for Business’, a free business training and mentoring scheme.
Fareham Borough Council has partnered with enterprise agency, Enterprise First to offer the free support to small companies and start-ups in Fareham town centre.
Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Conservative Cllr Seán Woodward said: “It was great that we had so many local businesses and would be entrepreneurs attending the event. Don’t worry if you did couldn’t make it, you can still contact Enterprise First to sign-up to a support programme that will be tailored to your individual needs.”
Enterprise First’s Business Adviser Manager, Andy Pringle, said: “The evening was definitely a success. The networking was particularly popular.”
The scheme provides businesses with advice on reaching customers via social media, how to source and manage property options and advice on how to access finance. It also includes themed ‘master class’ workshops and a knowledge bank of business support packages.
Following the launch event, there will be more workshops and tutoring events to help businesses.
To register for free, please contact Andy Pringle from Enterprise First – andy.pringle@enterprisefirst.co.uk or 01252 319272.
About Enterprise First
For over 30 years Enterprise First has delivered business support and enterprise contracts in the South East. It has a team of experienced professional advisers with local knowledge who can help people in business or assist those who want to start a business.
Offering a range of services, including business planning, training in marketing and book keeping and access to funding and premises, it also operates and manages enterprise centres in Hampshire with easy in easy out terms. Enterprise First is also a member of the Cavendish Consortium which is made up of six of the largest enterprise agencies across England, together with the National Enterprise Network.
Its members are amongst the most prominent not-for-profit social enterprises in the country working together to deliver programmes to support business enterprise. Enterprise First is also a delivery partner for the following national programmes: Ready for Business, Virgin Start Up Loans and Growth Vouchers.
To find out more about the business support and advice provided by Enterprise First, please visit www.enterprisefirst.co.uk
ENDS
10 March 2015
It’s take off for £1.5m runway
A commemorative flight to mark the main runway at the Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus being resurfaced by Fareham Borough Council at a cost of £1.5m took place today.
The work will extend the lifespan of the airfield and is an important step towards getting a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Aerodrome licence, which will help attract more private aviation investment and use.
The project, funded by Fareham Borough Council and completed by contractors Raymond Brown, included resurfacing and relining of the main runway, repairs to taxiways and the installation of ducting to enable the future provision of runway lighting.
Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Conservative Councillor Seán Woodward, who piloted the first flight, said: “The upgraded runway is an important step towards gaining the CAA licence that will allow a greater variety of planes to use the airfield and boost the already healthy aviation community on the Solent Enterprise Zone. When we take ownership of the site we will be responsible for investment over the life of the Enterprise Zone totalling some £50,000,000 which will boost the local economy. This is in addition to the investment being made by Hampshire County Council and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership in new roads to improve access to the Zone. “
Andy Walters from Regional & City Airports (RCA) said “RCA are proud to be so integral to the building of the legacy of Daedalus. With efforts focused on opening up the Airfield to more aircraft and business opportunities, CAA licensing will crown a very important investment into jobs, wealth and prosperity opportunities for the local community and providing an attractive and prime General Aviation hub in the South Coast.”
Jon Butts, Lee Flying Association “LFA applauds the renewal of the main runway, which secures the future of flying operations at Daedalus Aerodrome and EZ, enables aviation sector investment in new hangars, employment and recreational flying opportunities – and preserves for the long term the locally highly valued open aerodrome space as we enter a second century of aviation at Daedalus.”
Esther Croft, HCA area manager, said: “The progress made on the new runway is further evidence that the Solent Enterprise Zone is open for business. It demonstrates the confidence partners and investors have in the project’s long-term future and would not have happened without their support over the last two years. It’s great news for the area and will act as a catalyst for further growth at the enterprise zone.”
The improvements to the runway are part of an £8.3m package of investment by Fareham Borough Council at the Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus, with the aim of transforming it into a business destination with 3,500 jobs in aviation, aerospace and marine engineering.
ENDS
Editor’s notes
A video showing drone footage of the runway improvements External Hyperlink can be viewed here.
Drone video supplied courtesy of Raymond Brown
6 March 2015
Get free business support
Fareham Borough Council are partnering with enterprise agency, Enterprise First, to launch ‘Fareham First for Business’, a free business training and mentoring programme for small companies and start-ups in Fareham town centre.
This initiative has been set up to bring new business activity to Fareham’s popular and thriving town centre by providing businesses with advice on reaching customers via social media, how to source and manage property options and advice on how to access finance. The scheme will also include themed ‘master class’ workshops and a knowledge bank of business support packages.
The town centre initiative is launching on Wednesday 18th March at Ferneham Hall, from 6.30pm – 9.00pm, and business owners and budding entrepreneurs are invited to attend the event to learn more about the programme and ask questions about the programme.
Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Conservative Cllr Seán Woodward said: “The event is free to existing businesses, as well as to those who may be looking to start up in Fareham. Enterprise First will be on hand to offer support and advice and will be able to set up a Business Support Programme that is flexible to fit your individual needs.”
There will be opportunity for networking after the launch.
To register for the FREE launch event, please contact Andy Pringle from Enterprise First – andy.pringle@enterprisefirst.co.uk or 01252 319272.
ENDS
Note to Editors:
For more information contact Chloe Hodson – chloe.hodson@enterprisefirst.co.uk
About Enterprise First
For over 30 years Enterprise First has delivered business support and enterprise contracts in the South East. It has a team of experienced professional advisers with local knowledge who can help people in business or assist those who want to start a business.
Offering a range of services, including business planning, training in marketing and book keeping and access to funding and premises, it also operates and manages enterprise centres in Hampshire with easy in easy out terms. Enterprise First is also a member of the Cavendish Consortium which is made up of six of the largest enterprise agencies across England, together with the National Enterprise Network. Its members are amongst the most prominent not-for-profit social enterprises in the country working together to deliver programmes to support business enterprise. Enterprise First is also a delivery partner for the following national programmes: Ready for Business, Virgin Start Up Loans and Growth Vouchers.
To find out more about the business support and advice provided by Enterprise First, please visit www.enterprisefirst.co.uk
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