Funding worth £2 million has been awarded to the planned Innovation Centre at the University of Essex’s Knowledge Gateway research and technology park.

It will be delivered through the Local Growth Fund, overseen by South East Local Enterprise Partnership, which covers East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock.

University of Essex registrar Bryn Morris said: “This funding will help us forge ahead with our plans for our £10 million Innovation Centre, which will offer a home to more than 50 start-up businesses. They will be able to benefit from practical hands-on support and expertise that will help them to scale up — and succeed.”

Meanwhile, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is set to receive nearly £20 million of government funding for its Airport Business Park project, which will see a new Innovation Centre built at the site.

Council leader John Lamb said: “The Innovation Centre will be the heart of the business park. It will create an exciting modern environment for young and growing businesses to move to flexible and serviced office and workshop space, which can grow with their business.”