Latest news from Loughborough University
16 May 2013
Major milestone for Loughborough University’s London campus
iCITY has today signed its deal with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), marking a major milestone in the establishment of Loughborough University in London.
The deal secures the long-term future of the former Press and Broadcast Centres on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which will be home to Loughborough University in London.
The new campus will offer a range of full- and part-time postgraduate and executive courses for UK and overseas students. Teaching and research disciplines confirmed to date include business and management, media and communications, digital technologies and sport.
As part of the wider project, iCITY will design a world-leading hub for the creative and digital industries, promoting collaboration and innovation between academic institutions, start-up businesses and established global companies.
Loughborough University Vice Chancellor Professor Robert Allison said:
“We would like to congratulate both the LLDC and iCITY on today’s signing. We are delighted to be part of the vision for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and are looking forward to establishing Loughborough University in London.”
Gavin Poole, CEO of iCITY, said:
“We are delighted that iCITY has reached this milestone and that the future of the former Press and Broadcast Centres is secure. This billion pound investment provides significant jobs, training and education opportunities and is central to the ongoing regeneration of East London.
“iCITY is at the heart of the economic and social legacy from London 2012. It will provide much needed infrastructure, commercial space and capacity for the digital and creative industries, the UK’s fastest growing sectors of the economy, as well as much needed studio space in London. These buildings present an incredible opportunity to the creative and media sector enjoying unrivalled connectivity and power.”
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:
“It’s absolutely fantastic news that the final piece of the Olympic venues jigsaw puzzle has now been firmly put in place. With the future of eight out of eight permanent venues secure, London has well and truly delivered on what is a hugely important part of the Olympic legacy story. iCITY is the final jewel in the crown of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and as a world class digital hub that will employ thousands of people I’m delighted to welcome them on board.”
Dennis Hone, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said:
“We said we’d transform wasteland in east London into one of Europe’s largest parks filled with award-winning sports venues that people will love, and we delivered. We said from the very beginning there would be no white elephants on the Park - and we’ve kept our promise. Now, by securing high quality tenants in the tech and education sectors, we will be providing thousands of jobs – and we remain firmly on track to deliver a meaningful physical and social legacy for Londoners.”
Further information about Loughborough University in London is available from www.lboro.ac.uk/london
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Notes for editors
Article reference number: PR 13/84
About Loughborough University
At Loughborough University we excel in delivering high-calibre education that is developed with business and other partners to meet economic, business and social needs. Our presence in London will enable us to diversify and expand the high quality education we offer to both postgraduate students and those looking to advance their professional development. The University also has a long history of working in partnership with business to drive forward research and innovation for the benefit of society and the economy. Our London site, within iCITY, will allow us to connect with many more organisations, thereby delivering greater benefit to even more communities.
For further information please visit www.lboro.ac.uk and www.lboro.ac.uk/london
About iCITY
iCITY was created to transform the Press and Broadcast Centres on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park into a world-class centre of innovation and enterprise, driving the regeneration of east London and stimulating long-term economic growth in the UK.
iCITY is a joint venture between Delancey, a specialist real estate investment and advisory company, and Infinity SDC, the UK’s leading data centre operator.
It will feature three main buildings: a 300,000 sq ft innovation centre; a 750 seat auditorium; and a 650,000 sq ft building housing educational space, broadcast studios, office space, and a state-of-the-art data centre.
iCITY will be a new community destination for east London, featuring a public area and landscaped canal side along with cafes, shops and restaurants.
iCITY has already secured a number of tenants and is over 40% pre-let:
- BT Sport will be based at iCITY with an 80,000 sq ft production hub. This will contain three studios, 20 edit suites, three main interoperable galleries, four sports galleries, and an audience holding area for a 160 strong audience.
- Loughborough University will create a multi-disciplinary postgraduate teaching, research and enterprise facility.
- Hackney Community College will deliver its pioneering digital apprenticeship scheme within a new Tech City Apprenticeship Academy.
- Infinity SDC will develop one of the largest and most efficient data centres in Europe, featuring 260,000 sq ft gross internal area, fed by multiple power grids and providing 40MVA of power with exceptional resilience.
iCITY is in ongoing commercial discussions with a number of organisations and expects to announce further deals with tenants in the near future.
For further information visit http://icitylondon.com
Contact for all media enquiries
Hannah Baldwin
Head of PR
Loughborough University
T: 01509 222239
E: H.E.Baldwin@lboro.ac.uk