Wednesday 8th September 2010 12.43am
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Plans for a £10m software centre in central Sunderland that could create up to 140 jobs are examined by city councillors next week.
The Sunderland Software Centre building is planned for Tavistock Place near Mowbray Park.
Members of Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet are discussing the plans when they meet on Wednesday 10 March.
The 53,000 square foot development would include space for more than 60 businesses. It is being part financed with a £4.75m grant from the European Regional Development Fund (European regional Development Fund), secured through regional development agency One North East, which is also contributing £2.95m to the project.
City Councillors are discussing a recommendation for match funding of £2.6m from the Working Neighbourhoods Fund that promotes new jobs and enterprises in Sunderland.
Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “The purpose of the Software Centre is to join together with our partners One North East and Sunderland Software City, the ERDF and single programme schemes. We are all working together and continue to attract and grow software businesses in Sunderland by providing high quality office space and the appropriate technical infrastructure.”
Sunderland is already home to the Sunderland Software City initiative. This is a regional programme designed to inspire and encourage the growth of the software industry across the North East region, and make
Cllr Watson added: “A new centre would allow businesses to develop, grow and create more high quality jobs in the future. It all fits with the City Council’s priorities for economic growth and developing a diverse economic base.”
A similar ‘incubator’ for new hi-tech software businesses at the City Council’s Evolve business centre at Rainton Bridge has already proved to be highly successful and more than 30 companies are based there.
Subject to the Cabinet meeting, and further planning permissions. Work on the building could begin next year and be completed in early 2012.
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