Energy and Environmental Technologies
The UKs North Midlands area is undergoing an economic transformation into a business location fit for the purpose of modern 21st century business.
North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire's image as a location mainly of collieries, textiles and traditional engineers was justified 20 years ago…but no longer.
Among the sectors now transforming the area's economic fortunes are energy and environmental technologies. Many new businesses have established themselves across a wide range of activities within the overall sector. Some are still in their formative stage whilst others have forged themselves into international concerns.
Their success is resulting in the North Midlands fast becoming recognised as one of the UKs centres of excellence in this field of work and is helping to encourage other initiatives to adopt sustainable energy and environmental features.
There is a wealth of information on schemes and initiatives, news and events contained on the website of the Renewable Energy Centre. Click here
The public sector has been encouraging the private sector push into this growing sector which is set to become increasingly important in a world of diminishing natural resources. A number of new premises have been constructed across North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire to accommodate start up and growing small businesses and those operating in the energy and environmental technology sectors are particularly welcome.
For example, the 60 acre regeneration and redevelopment of the former Ollerton Colliery into Sherwood Energy Village has won national and international acclaim. Not only has the community enterprise model created to run the project been recognised as truly innovative but the energy and environmental sustainability features and construction methods demonstrate that competitive advantage can be gained through exploiting this technology. The overall project was awarded the accolade of being 'The Most Enterprising Place in Britain' by the Government in 2005.
Similarly, on the site of the former Markham Colliery which straddles the M1 near Bolsover, a 200 acre regeneration scheme is under way to create the Markham Vale Business Park. Being developed by Derbyshire County Council in conjunction with Henry Boot Developments Ltd, Markham Vale incorporates a number of interesting environmental and energy technology features to demonstrate the aspirations for the site to house businesses operating in these more modern sectors. A brand new Environment Centre has recently been opened with accommodation for up to 14 small businesses operating specifically in the energy and environmental technologies sector.
Businesses in the North Midlands area also have the support of some of the UK's top research facilities to help develop ideas into commercial reality. These include Nottingham University's Environmental Technology Centre, as well as major environmental centres within the University of Derby, Nottingham Trent University and De Montfort University. Nottingham Trent also hosts the Environmental Industries Forum, an industry led collective of private enterprises seeking to develop the sector.
Our aspirations and ambitions for growing this sector are strong and backed by a number of serious initiatives.
If you are looking to set up a Midlands based business, expand into new markets or relocate completely we'd love to talk to you about the business benefits of the North Midlands.
Contact:
Alliance North Midlands
www.alliancenorthmidlands.co.uk
tel 01623 811223
