Durham County Council, Durham University, and Avison Young introduced their collaborative venture for the Durham Innovation District at a UKREiiF event recently. This ambitious initiative, located at the Aykley Heads site, aims to be a beacon of innovation, potentially generating thousands of jobs and positioning the region with “world-leading capabilities.”

The Aykley Heads site, already home to The Durham City Incubator, is set to transform into a strategic employment hub. This transformation will seamlessly integrate the public, private, and education sectors, fostering an environment ripe for growth and innovation.

The district’s vision is expansive. Plans include evolving the site into a comprehensive innovation campus, boasting approximately 400,000 sq ft of commercial development. The focus will be on niche sectors such as fintech, data science, computing, low carbon energy, and healthcare.

Amy Harhoff, Durham County Council’s corporate director for regeneration, economy, and growth, shared her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Durham City Innovation District is of international importance. With major institutions like the Durham University Business School and Atom Bank already in the vicinity, this 15 ha tranche of land at Aykley Heads offers a unique opportunity for investment.”

She further highlighted the council’s commitment to the project, drawing parallels with the success of NETPark Sedgefield, a global hub for science, engineering, and technology companies.

Professor Colin Bain, pro-vice-chancellor (research) at Durham University, echoed these sentiments. He spotlighted the university’s role in driving economic prosperity, stating, “We’re thrilled to be a part of this milestone in the creation of the Durham Innovation District. It aligns with our vision for County Durham as a top destination for living, working, and studying.”

Stuart Howie, head of regeneration at Avison Young, sees this as a prime opportunity for investors, developers, and operators. He believes that the partnership will create a world-class campus that will harness further innovation and investment, delivering both economic and social benefits to the region.

With the Durham City Incubator already nurturing high-growth potential start-ups and other innovative businesses, the prospects for the Durham Innovation District are promising. The collaboration between the university’s top-tier research and the district’s modern infrastructure aims to elevate County Durham’s status in the global innovation landscape.