Invest in Hampshire: Portsmouth
Following on from our recent article regarding new opportunities for businesses and investors in Basingstoke, NovaLoca are focussing on Portsmouth as another fantastic Hampshire area to take notice of.
Portsmouth, the great waterfront city, is home to the Royal Navy, the British America’s Cup team, IBM UK, Bae Systems and soon to the largest aircraft carriers Britain has ever built. Portsmouth, also home to the HMS Warrior and HMS Victory, is very proud of its strong heritage and unique identity.
According to the national enterprise campaign StartUp Britain, Portsmouth is one of the country’s top 20 hotspot areas for new businesses.
University
The University of Portsmouth is rated in the top two per cent of universities in the world and attracts students from more than 140 countries with many students settling in Portsmouth after graduation. It has also been reported that an increasing number are going on to start their own businesses!
The university is engaged with businesses in many ways and supports initiatives such as the Cell Block Project and Innovation Space.
The Cell Block Project
The Cell Block Project has been set up by the university and the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust are bringing a derelict naval detention building in Portsmouth Dockyard back to life as a centre for companies in creative industries who will set their business up in the old cells!
Innovation Space
The university started Innovation Space as a non-profit venture in 2014. Innovation Space offers an environment where business people can mingle and spark ideas. The building is about mentoring businesses in the start-up phase and bringing people together.
Innovation Space is very similar to the newly popular co-working spaces in other big cities and towns. The building is available 24/7 and can be used as a registered business address.
Developments
Portsmouth City Centre – Station Square and Station Street
This is a mixed use development for residential, employment, leisure, hotel and retail uses located in the heart of the city centre. Station Square and Station Street will become the business hub of the city centre and provide a range of uses and buildings to the surrounding areas. The development will also enhance the value of Victoria Park.
Hotwalls Studios – Broad Street, Old Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council was successful in securing funding to transform vacant arches into artist studio spaces and convert historic fortifications into a new creative quarter. The site will comprise thirteen studios, a waterfront brasserie, cafe and interpretation area. The project will create new jobs and opportunities to visually enhance the area, as well as supporting emerging creative industries.
The Hard Interchange
The redevelopment of the transport interchange serving 9 million annual passengers is hugely important to Portsmouth. The site brings bus, train and boat services together and will be the first thing many see when they arrive in the city. The development is vital to the western transport corridor, linking with the M275 park-and-ride and bus lane.
To search commercial property in Portsmouth, click here!
