The LaunchPad is nearing completion

August 17, 2022

Councillors have seen the great progress being made at The Launchpad, a project led and funded by the Council and South East Local Enterprise Partnership and is nearing completion.

The Launchpad sits at the entrance to Airport Business Park Southend (ABPS), and will champion real innovation in the area for start-ups and SME's, and provide a facility where businesses based there can support each other and share knowledge and creativity.

Three storeys in height, it will contain a mix of offices, workshops, research facilities and break out spaces, along with a café and seminar space. The building has been designed to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ grade of the BREEAM environmental standard and will be highly energy efficient to contribute towards the Government’s net zero targets from sustainable construction. The site also includes a secure cycle store and shower facilities.

Cllr Paul Collins, cabinet member for asset management and inward investment visited the site earlier this week alongside the leader and deputy leader of the council and fellow councillors from Rochford District Council.

Cllr Collins, says: “I was delighted to see the excellent progress being made on this landmark building. The LaunchPad is a vital piece in the jigsaw for Airport Business Park Southend - an ongoing success story that is helping to create local jobs for local people and drive economic growth. As the name suggests, this is a truly important investment in our future local businesses, to set them on their way to success.

“With the current cost of living crisis that the country is facing, it has never been more important to help create local jobs, and I am very pleased to see so much positive progress on site and opportunities being provided for entrepreneurs, for local businesses to expand and for new businesses to invest. I cannot wait to see it open later this year.”

Cllr Mrs Danielle Belton Portfolio Holder for Climate and Economy at Rochford District Council said “Our thanks to colleagues at Southend on Sea City Council and the Morgan Sindall group on what appears to be a successful project and well run site”

“I look forward to completion and seeing the vast spaces filled with vibrant and exciting new businesses to benefit our local economy.”

ABPS is a vital £150m project that is already driving opportunity, prosperity and economic growth of Southend-on-Sea, Rochford and the wider region. It is creating more local employment, and providing opportunities for local business to expand and new ones to invest. ABPS is already home to IPECO Holdings’ 124,000 sq ft unit, a Costa Coffee, and the relocated Westcliff Rugby Club. The Quad is also underway, delivering flexible industrial / warehouse units finished to a shell finish for occupiers to complete their own fitout works. The offices are finished to a category A standard.