VINCE CABLE VISITS STOCKPORT

Vince Cable MP yesterday made one of his first visits as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, to a successful economic regeneration project in Stockport.

The innovative ‘Stockport Business Incubator’, located in the Grade II* Listed Broadstone Mill in Reddish is a partnership between Stockport Council, the University of Manchester Incubator Company (UMIC) and the Mill. It has transformed 40,000 sq ft of the Mill into state-of-the-art workspace with business incubation facilities.

18 months after its launch, Stockport Business Incubator is now home to 26 businesses from a variety of sectors, and over 100 employees. The sensitive renovation complements the original features of the building, whilst providing a contemporary, flexible and hi-tech business environment.

The Secretary of State paid a visit to i-Pix, a company based in the Incubator who specialise in energy saving LED lighting technology. i-Pix designs and assembles specialist LED lighting for stage and stadia, and is currently developing its product range for the growing low carbon sector.

Councillor Dave Goddard, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “Stockport Council is committed to investing in and supporting business and innovation in the borough. We have invested over £450,000 in the development of the highly successful Stockport Business Incubator.

“The Incubator is supporting and developing a mix of sustainable knowledge-based companies, which in turn provide skilled, well-paid jobs for the local area.

“I am delighted to welcome the new Secretary of State to Stockport and to share with him the borough’s success stories.”

ENDS

Jpeg caption: Vince Cable MP (right) visits Broadstone Mill in Stockport to meet Leader of Stockport Council, Councillor Dave Goddard (centre) and local entrepreneur Chris Ewington (left), from i-Pix.

For more information please contact Catherine Beaumont, Publicity and Communications Officer on 0161 218 1706 or catherine.beaumont@stockport.gov.uk