Jet blade sculpture shows D2N2 backed Enterprise Zone park is ready to take off

An Enterprise Zone site set to receive millions of pounds from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership has reached an important milestone in its development, with the unveiling of a 60 foot high landmark sculpture.

Infinity Park – a 250-acre business park, south of Derby city centre, which it’s hoped will eventually support up to 8,000 hi-tech and knowledge-based jobs – is part of the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone. D2N2 has committed to spend around £14million, from the Local Growth Fund programme it is investing in its area over the next six years, towards vital roads and floodworks infrastructure to improve the Derby site for business.

A major sculpture was unveiled at Infinity Park yesterday (August 19), outside the first building being constructed on the site. The £11.8m Innovation Centre, due to open in October, will house transport and aerospace businesses; including Enscite, a transport and logistics consultancy co-founded by D2N2 partner the University of Derby, whose Managing Director is D2N2 Growth Hub Project Board member Colin McKinnon.

The new sculpture is lowered into place outside the Park’s Innovation Centre yesterday

The sculpture is of two polished jet blades, twisted around each other. It was designed by Franklin Ellis Architects, created by metalwork specialists Chris Brammall Ltd and built by GF Tomlinson.

Barry Sewards, Chairman of GF Tomlinson, said: “We’ve reached a key milestone in the construction work of Derby’s Innovation Centre and we’re delighted work has been progressing so well. The sculpture is representative of the industries that will be based at the centre and, as a firm based in Derby, we’re proud to be working on such a pioneering project that will have such an impact on industry and the local economy.”

Margaret Bruce, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, added: “The new facility (the Innovation Centre) will allow incubator companies to form and grow; and already established companies to access some of the very latest technologies, academic expertise and best practice from around the world. The University will also provide skilled graduates and access to funding for innovation, research and development.”

For more information about Infinity Park, part of the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone, click HERE.

Media needing further information about the work of the D2N2 LEP can contact D2N2 Communications Officer Sean Kirby on 0115 9578749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org

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