REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean has welcomed progress made in the development of a Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre in the town.
The key project forms part of the ‘game-changing’ £15.6million Town Deal the Government awarded the town.
The centre, which will be built on the site of the old police station, will provide flexible office and workspace for start-ups, as well as providing support to existing manufacturing businesses.
The aim is that the centre will help develop more innovation within Redditch’s economy and encourage productivity growth within the town’s manufacturing sector.
This would be achieved through the development of cuttign edge digital and 5G technologies.
To make way for the new centre, the former police station in the town centre has been demolished, with contractors tasked with the job finishing ahead of schedule.
The site has now been handed over to Redditch Borough Council and has been secured with fencing.
The now is that the entire project will be completed by 2026.
The police have re-located to a temporary base in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre before moving to their permanent home at the new Blue Light Hub on Birmingham Road later this year.
Mrs Maclean said: “The Government and I are ambitious about Redditch’s future, which is why we were awarded a £15.6million Town Deal to ensure our economy is fit for the future.
“The Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre is a key component of our game-changing plan.
“It will enable more businesses to grow and flourish, creating new jobs for local people and ensuring our workforce has the skills employers need for the economy of the future.”
