Wight Innovation Hub Soft Market Testing

Tender description

The Isle of Wight Council is seeking to engage the market to explore options for the development and subsequent operation of the Wight Innovation Hub to be based in two council-leased buildings at the Rangefinder Campus in Northwood near Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The findings of the consultation will assist in the production of the business case to support the project. The project aims to deliver 3,000 sq metres of flexible and innovation employment space within a managed facility to enable the following outputs: Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) Growth; Improved productivity in priority sectors; Connecting communities and businesses (digital and transport); Employment growth; Developing skills and talents; and Pioneering innovation and research The scope of the Soft Market Test will explore the market's ability and preferences to: Design and deliver a commercially viable Innovation Centre which provides an appropriate range of managed employment space which meets market needs; Provide businesses located within and affiliated to the Innovation Centre with access to an enhanced package of business and skills support to increase sustainability and productivity; Develop a delivery model and management structure which enables appropriate oversight of public sector investment in the Centre but minimises the Council's involvement in day to day operations; and Develop a commercially viable proposition which transfers commercial risk to the private sector and minimises public sector investment in the Centre. Interested parties are invited to submit feedback to help shape our proposals. To do so you must complete a short questionnaire to be returned to us via the South East Business Portal by 20 August 2019. A tour of the facility will be taking place on 13 August 2019. Those interested in taking part should contact us through the messaging facility on the South East Business Portal. Keywords: Regeneration, Innovation