Newark Beacon scoops second regeneration award in 2009

A flagship business centre developed and managed by Newark and Sherwood District Council has scooped its second regional regeneration award this year.

Newark Beacon won the East Midlands Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) award for the Regeneration category at a special ceremony last week. The project now goes forward to the national finals against all other regional category winners. The overall winner will be announced in the autumn.

The Beacon was officially opened in 2007 by Dragons’ Den star and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis and is the district’s flagship centre for ‘fledgling’ businesses. It provides dedicated office and workshop space for the businesses in their early years.

With the aim of encouraging ‘knowledge based’ businesses to start up and grow in Newark and Sherwood, the Beacon has become home to training, website, software and energy saving businesses, among others.

The Beacon was also developed with ‘green’ credentials wherever possible. As well as an energy efficient and environmentally friendly air management system which naturally circulates the air around the building, the centre also features a biomass boiler.

Newark Beacon also won the ‘regeneration project’ category at the Nottingham Evening Post Commercial Property Awards earlier this year.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Economic Regeneration Manager Mike Robinson said: “To win two awards this year is fantastic news. We’re delighted and incredibly proud that the Newark Beacon has been recognised at the prestigious regional RICS awards.

“We feel both awards are well deserved, given the impact the scheme has had on business in Newark. It’s helped to put Newark on the map - it’s a great place for commercial investment especially now that the area has growth point status.”

The awards were held at the East Midlands Conference Centre on Thursday May 7 2009. The RICS awards celebrate the best new projects in the built environment and the 2009 winners join a long line of inspirational building projects.

For further information please contact:
Sally Clark, Communications Officer
Newark and Sherwood District Council
Tel: 01636 655886
Email: sally.clark@nsdc.info