Work will begin in May on a new £7 million innovation centre at Keele University (www.keele.ac.uk). Created in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, it will target high-growth businesses and new companies moving to Staffordshire.

The new centre will provide 30,000 sq ft of office and workshop space and is expected to create around 130 jobs. It is set for completion in the spring of next year. Outline planning permission has been given for 13 plots of land, with businesses and other partners being offered the opportunity to develop bespoke buildings ranging from 13,000 to 940,000 sq ft.

Mark Winnington, Staffordshire Council’s head of economy, said: “It is pleasing to be in a position to announce the start of work on the new innovation centre after we took the decision to invest in the project four years ago.

It will further Keele University Science and Business Park’s international reputation as a prime location for innovation in the medical, technology and engineering sectors.

“The expansion of the park will lead to an increase in the cluster of this type of industry in Staffordshire, and we are confident that this can continue to grow. The centre will add to our drive to attract high-quality businesses and jobs and bring real long-term benefits to the county.”