Holbrook Park Transformation: New Business Park Emerges in Coventry, Bringing Nearly 500 Jobs

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 37 seconds

Growth

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Quick Read: The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) announces the completion of the Holbrook Park transformation, a rejuvenated business park on the former Meggitt aerospace site in Coventry. Backed by a £24 million investment, the project provides 31 industrial units, anticipating nearly 500 jobs, contributing to regional economic growth and redevelopment success.

In a significant development, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has unveiled the completion of the Holbrook Park transformation, a dynamic business park situated on part of the former Meggitt aerospace site. This ambitious project, backed by a substantial £24 million investment over two years, has breathed new life into the derelict site, contributing to the region's economic revitalization.

Photo: Andy Street, Ed Bradburn, Rob Watts, and Dan Powers, Photo Credits: WMCA

Holbrook Park now features 31 industrial and warehouse units spread over 12 acres, offering a prime business environment for companies looking to establish a presence in the heart of Coventry. Already witnessing occupancy in some units, the business park is projected to host nearly 500 jobs once fully leased, fostering employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy.

The Meggitt site, which had been largely unused since the aerospace company's relocation to Ansty four years ago, has undergone a remarkable transformation. The collaboration between WMCA and urban logistics property developer Chancerygate has resulted in a vibrant business hub that repurposes and revitalizes industrial space.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, expressed enthusiasm about the successful regeneration effort, emphasizing the positive impact on the community. "It’s wonderful to see how this WMCA investment has been able to breathe new life into this large and landmark site. This new business park is yet another example of how we’re successfully regenerating these sorts of derelict industrial sites," stated Street.

The Holbrook Park project aligns with WMCA's broader strategy of revitalizing derelict industrial sites in collaboration with the private sector. Through strategic investments, the authority aims to create affordable, energy-efficient spaces for businesses and homes while generating job opportunities for the local population.

As part of the ongoing efforts to maximize the potential of the former Meggitt site, planning permission has already been granted for an additional 500 new homes on a separate section of the land. The multi-faceted approach to redevelopment showcases the commitment to sustainable growth and community development in the West Midlands.

The success of Holbrook Park stands as a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in driving regeneration initiatives. The newly transformed business park not only represents a beacon of economic growth but also contributes to the preservation of greenbelt spaces for future generations.

What's new

West Midlands small businesses encouraged to apply for research and development grants

A grant application scheme has opened to creative freelancers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the West Midlands, to apply for up to £10,000 to develop innovative ideas through collaborative Research and Development (R&D).

Smaller companies and freelancers can struggle to access R&D grants, something that

CreaTech Frontiers

, the new creative industries cluster for the West Midlands, is hoping to challenge.

CreaTech Frontiers is made up of five partners: Birmingham City University (BCU), University of Birmingham, Coventry University, University of Warwick and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Professor Lamberto Coccioli, Director of CreaTech Frontiers, said:

We are thrilled to launch our first call to fund innovative ideas and projects only four months after the start of the CreaTech Frontiers programme. We hope to receive an enthusiastic response from creative companies and freelancers all across the West Midlands and we especially encourage first-time applicants with original and untested concepts.

A funding pot of £250,000 is being made available this summer, which will also give freelancers and SMEs access to academic R&D expertise, mentoring and training, and use world-class research and development labs to create new content, products and services.

This is the first round of funding of many, with a minimum of £1.8 million expected to be awarded over five years.

Kath Fuller, COO of TechWM, and board member of CreaTech Frontiers said:

This is a rare opportunity for freelancers, micro-businesses, and SMEs across the West Midlands to take creative risks, test bold ideas, and unlock the full potential of research and development. At TechWM, we see the transformative power of R&D every day — driving business growth, attracting investment, and opening new routes to market. I’d especially love to see ideas that pioneer sustainable products and services, helping to shape the future of the West Midlands’ dynamic innovation ecosystem and CreaTech sector.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is backing the project as part of ambitions for the region to be

a flourishing creative ecosystem by 2030.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We’ve got a young, diverse region full of bold thinkers and creative minds who are really pushing the limits of what’s possible with technology.

I want them to take advantage of these grants and the amazing research and innovation coming out of our world class universities, so they can turn their great ideas into global success stories. And as we do that, we’re creating exciting new jobs and showing the world what the West Midlands is made of.

Applications are open now and close on Monday 4 August. Register your interest and find out more

here

By Birmingham City University

6 Jun