Innovation Centre planned for Croydon (From Your Local Guardian)

Innovation Centre planned for Croydon

7:10am Thursday 19th July 2012 in Education News By Nick Hitchens

Croydon College has links with the University of Sussex

The University of Sussex, which has close ties with Croydon College, is looking to establish an innovation centre in the borough, following on from the successful launch of the Sussex Innovation Centre in 1996.

Sussex Innovation Centre works as a hub supporting start-up businesses working with university academics and students and houses 70 companies ranging from fungicide resistance inhibitors to law firms and solar energy developers.

The university is believed to be looking for a 20,000sq ft site for the new centre.

A spokesman said: “The University of Sussex, and the Sussex Innovation Centre, are in discussion with Croydon Council and partners about creating an innovation centre in Croydon.

“The details are still being discussed and we have very positive indications, but there are no firm agreements yet that can be announced.

At this stage, we are talking about an innovation centre development that provides specialist facilities and support for high growth start-ups and new technology businesses.”

The University of Sussex first formed ties with Croydon College in 2003 and last year the college was granted the right to call itself a university centre.

Degree courses in business, art, graphic design, film production, and in health and social care are run in Croydon and validated by the University.

Speaking at a public meeting, Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell said: “This development could be great news as a higher education offering is one thing the borough is sorely lacking.”