Gordons advises on joint venture for £3m Kirklees technology hub
Thursday 21st June 2012
Advice from Gordons has been instrumental in taking a £3m Yorkshire technology hub a significant step closer to reality.
A team from the firm, led by head of corporate James Fawcett, advised investment and property business Hartley Group on a joint venture for the creation of the Globe Innovation Centre, at Globe Mills, Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield.
The 150,000 sq ft multi-storey former textile factory is set to become a centre of excellence for technology businesses in the region, including those engaged in environmental technology, when enterprises of this type can locate there from 2013.
Tenants will be able to access a range of flexible research and business support services aimed at helping them grow into successful producers of technology. The site will also contain retail and leisure units, and will meet market demand for quality, small, flexible business space and meeting rooms.
Hartley Group’s partners in the venture are technology company 3M, the University of Huddersfield and Kirklees Council. Hartley Group and 3M will act as “angel investors”, for promising entrepreneurial businesses at the site.
James said: “Deals involving multiple parties can be complex but we’re well accustomed to transactions of this type and the parties worked very well together. It’s a pleasure to be involved in a project that aims to establish Colne Valley as a major national business hub for the low-carbon economy, and we certainly wish the venture every success in the future.”