New £40m Edinburgh Innovation Hub opens in Musselburgh with 'highly skilled' jobs promise
UK Government invests £28.6m as Edinburgh Innovation Hub opens its doors
A new £40m innovation hub has officially opened in East Lothian, promising to create highly skilled jobs and support the growth of high-value businesses across the region.
The Edinburgh Innovation Hub, located next to Queen Margaret University (QMU) in Musselburgh, is a joint venture between the university and East Lothian Council.
The facility, which forms the first phase of the planned Edinburgh Innovation Park, has been backed by £28.6m from the UK Government, £10m from the council, and £1.4m from the Scottish Government.
Providing specialist laboratory, office and conference space, the hub is aimed at innovative start-ups with a particular focus on life sciences, technology, and the food and drink sectors.
Several companies have already moved into the site, including Forge Minerals, Aurora Avionics and Riverwood Ecology. Another unnamed life sciences firm recently signed a lease to bring around 40 employees to the facility.
Local MP Chris Murray, who attended the launch alongside Scotland Office minister Melanie Ward and Scottish economy secretary Stephen Flynn, welcomed the investment.
“This part of Scotland has been short-changed for too long, with not enough government support to create the jobs of the future," Mr Murray said.
“This money will help to create opportunities for innovative businesses to scale up and deliver high-skilled jobs right here in Edinburgh and East Lothian.
“We have an enormous amount of talent and potential across Edinburgh and Musselburgh, across life sciences, technology, aerospace, environmental innovation and more. This hub will allow this talent to build the businesses of the future."
Ms Ward, UK government minister for Scotland, said the facility was a "vital step" in building a resilient economy.
She added: "Significant UK Government investment of over £28m is giving start-ups the specialised lab space they need to accelerate breakthroughs, scale up quickly, and create high-skilled jobs across the region.
“By connecting cutting-edge innovation with national supply chains – from Scotland's space sector to freshwater ecology – we are using targeted regional investments to bring growth, high-skilled jobs, and economic opportunities to every postcode across Scotland.”