Kier Marriott has completed the external structure of The Exchange, Bedfordshire's new enterprise hub at Colworth Science Park, which is being developed by Unilever and leading research and business space provider Goodman.

To celebrate reaching this stage in the construction programme, a topping out ceremony was held and attended by the Deputy Mayor of Bedford Cllr Charles Royden. Following a brief tour around the ground floor, Kier Marriott Managing Director John Henke presented Goodman construction Director Mike Lee with an attractive crystal plaque to mark the occasion.

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Designed by architects RMJM to drive the exchange of knowledge and ideas, The Exchange will provide 21,000 sq ft of dining, conference and meeting facilities for up to 200 people, which will be open to businesses off site in addition to those based at Colworth Science Park. This is complemented by a 35,000 sq ft innovation centre offering flexible office and laboratory suites, which Goodman and Unilever hope will help address a shortage of scientific lab space in Bedfordshire with an 'easy in/easy out' leasing policy.

Made possible by the investment of £13.7m from the Goodman:Unilever joint venture and the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), The Exchange will support economic growth in Bedfordshire and the UK by bringing together academia, SMEs and other life science companies to drive the transfer of technology.

(CD/KMcA)