The development of a food & drink innovation hub in East Lothian has been given the green light by officials, unlocking £40m City Region Deal funding for Edinburgh Innovation Park
The case was passed by Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee after a presentation by joint venture partners for the development, Queen Margaret University (QMU) and East Lothian Council.
The food & drink innovation hub is supported by £28.6m from the UK Government, £1.4m from the Scottish Government and £10m from East Lothian Council as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
Closely aligned to the University’s strengths, the hub will focus on food and drink-related innovation within the context of health and wellbeing and will include serviced laboratories and office accommodation as well as facilities for events.
As well as bricks and mortar, there will be a full programme of activities to foster innovation, boost female entrepreneurship, and address market and societal needs.
The innovation hub is in a prime strategic location next to the QMU campus on the boundaries of both Edinburgh and Midlothian.
The hub will be the anchor for Edinburgh Innovation Park which will be developed over time to create a nationally significant centre of knowledge exchange, innovation and high-value business growth.
The deal is a £1.3bn regional investment programme jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments and regional partners.
A sustainable development that will promote inclusive growth
Sir Paul Grice, principal, Queen Margaret University, said: “This is great news for East Lothian, and for Scotland’s food and drink sector, especially as it relates to society’s health and wellbeing.
“The committee’s approval to release £40m City Deal funding will aid economic recovery from the impacts of the pandemic by bringing quality jobs and investment to the area, and by supporting an important sector through research, knowledge exchange and skills training.
“Together with our joint venture partners East Lothian Council, we can now move forward to realise our vision of a strategic, sustainable development that will promote inclusive growth.”
Depute council leader, Norman Hampshire, added: “I’m absolutely delighted to reach such an important milestone for this exciting project which will promote inclusive growth locally and regionally and create a significant number of new jobs and skills pathways.
“East Lothian, Scotland’s food and drink county, is the perfect location for a Food and Drink Innovation Hub.
“The importance of growing the economy has been heightened by the challenges of the pandemic and the need to focus on securing a strong recovery. In one of Scotland’s fastest growing areas, we must provide opportunities for good-quality, local employment as well as opportunities for young people.
“This is Phase 1 of our plans for the wider Edinburgh Innovation Park providing a unique opportunity to transform a strategic economic development site, owned by East Lothian Council.
“Working with our partners, the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal and Queen Margaret University, this project will deliver significant benefits for the people of East Lothian.”
Work will commence immediately to select the design team and finalise designs for the hub.
Construction is expected to begin early in 2023 and will be completed in 2025.
