Midlands development agency creates hundreds of jobs for locals

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Up to £11 million has been made available by the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) in order to regenerate three projects in Derbyshire.

The emda’s board has approved funding which will help boost the economy, safeguard jobs, raise the skills level and provide a boost for tourism in the area.

Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa will receive £5 million, of which £2 million has been put up by the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP); The Roundhouse in Derby will receive £4.5 million, with £1.5 million coming from the DDEP, and the Westthorpe Business Innovation Centre will receive £1.4 million.

Executive Director for Regeneration at the emda, Diana Gilhespy, commented on the funding: “These schemes are very exciting and will make a massive difference to Derbyshire by regenerating derelict and under-used listed buildings to a very high standard”.

The Buxton Crescent project is a £32.4 million restoration scheme creating a new hotel and up to 160 jobs for the area. A new city centre campus for Derby College will be incorporated through the £29 million Roundhouse regeneration project, housing the majority of the college’s provision, focusing on the newly acquired centres for excellence in construction, IT and manufacturing.

Noting the impact of the funding, Diana continued: “All the projects will enhance the area and safeguard and generate jobs ““ while the Buxton Crescent will also generate increased tourism spend for local businesses, Westthorpe will improve and develop local businesses and The Roundhouse will help develop skills and education”.

“These schemes align to the priorities within the new Regional Economic Strategy which aims to create a flourishing region by 2020″.

And the Chairman of the DDEP, Dr John Foxcroft, added: “I am delighted to be working with the emda and key partners on these projects and look forward to them generating significant economic benefits for the area”.

Vijay Pattni.

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