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Diigital boom transforms face of Sheffield's occupier mix
OVER the past decade, South Yorkshire's thriving digital and creative businesses have radically transformed the face of the region's traditional occupier mix.
Boasting some of the UK's most technologically advanced facilities, South Yorkshire has attracted a vast array of businesses ranging from multi-million pound entertainment and communications organisation, Sky, to small firms working in areas such as web design, film production and software development.
This is clearly an environment that is evolving at a rapid pace, giving rise to a very different type of business space requirement.
Developments such as Sheffield Digital Campus and the Digital Media Centre in Barnsley provide scalable, high-tech accommodation which is crucial for stimulating further economic growth for South Yorkshire.
Electric Works, the first office building to complete in Sheffield's Digital Campus, is already exceeding the expectations of developers, Scarborough Development Group and GMI Property Company.
The 600,000 sq ft building, which was recognised at the annual BIFM (British Institute of Facilities Management) awards as being the UK's most innovative serviced office, is already over 45 percent occupied. Recent additions to the diverse occupier mix include Sky, CapeUK, Warp Films, WanDisco and SFEDI.
Barnsley is also quickly developing its reputation as a hub for creative and digital businesses.
The Digital Media Centre is one of the first landmark buildings in the masterplan for the regeneration of the former coal mining town. Providing 30,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art office space in a range of units, the development has secured nine new tenants in as many months, occupying almost 6,000 sq ft in total.
Cementing South Yorkshire's position at the epicenter of all things digital is the Digital Region project, which will provide every business and household with guaranteed 'Superfast Broadband' boasting download speeds of 25Mb and above.
Despite this, one major factor threatens to hold the region back.
The exponential growth of some digital and creative organisations has meant that the region's smaller incubator units have been absorbed by established businesses. With a shortage of 'grow-on' space for those businesses that have outgrown their accommodation, there is then a very deal danger that fledgling businesses will not receive the support they need.
By support this burgeoning demand and developing our existing technology centres to create additional 'grow-on' space we are enabling the rapid and sustainable growth of our digital and creative businesses. This will provide a vital boost to the regional economy and reinforce its reputation as a centre for technological excellence and innovation.
It is now more essential than ever that our property stock reflects the diverse needs of this marketplace so that it can function successfully in the 21st Century.
Rob Darrington
Lambert Smith Hampton
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Weather for Sheffield
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
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