A FLEXIBLE workspace at Dorset Innovation Park has welcomed its first businesses.

Twenty units were opened at the Quadrant earlier this year, in line with ambitions for it to become the county’s main centre of advanced engineering excellence.

The park, at the site of the former Winfrith atomic research establishment, is already the county’s second largest employment site.

The Quadrant was designed and developed by Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council in partnership with Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as part of the park’s aim to cater for the area’s growing marine, defence and energy sectors.

Britlift, which manufactures and exports lifting equipment, was the first occupier.

It has been joined by security and safety service provider Hugslock Systems Ltd; unmanned system solution company Zeus UAV; catering supplier Legion Events; and the local coastguard rescue operations unit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Britflift managing director Liam Botting said: “The new units look fantastic and are well located for our needs.

“They are also well-sized and serviced, and the fact they are within a secure location alongside other engineering companies was a real positive.

“Dorset Innovation Park is being created to be a hub of engineering and manufacturing which suits us perfectly as an innovative engineering company.

“Being the first company to move into the Quadrant and being involved in the Innovation Park from this very early stage is exciting.”

Hugslock Systems managing director Denise Huggett said: “Moving here was an opportunity to be part of more than just a standard industrial park and just renting a unit.

“Being a tenant on the innovation park means we have a network of support available and access to a wide variety of organisations and businesses that are all committed to the economic growth of Dorset.”

She added: “For us the location, the support, the expansion plans in place for the years to come and the quality of the space offered were all positives.”

The park offers a secure facility and the presence of two world leaders in defence technology - Atlas Elektronik UK and QinetiQ.

When fully developed and occupied, the 56-hectare Innovation Park is expected to generate around 2,000 new jobs and attract dozens of businesses.

Target businesses that locate there benefit from up to five years of business rate reductions – up to £275,000 – and access to ultrafast broadband.

The campus-style setting aims to be major force for the economic regeneration of South Dorset and a vital stimulus for employment.

Jim Stewart, Dorset LEP Chairman, said: “Dorset’s economy stands to benefit greatly from this designated Enterprise Zone as it attracts more businesses to relocate to it so they can grow and expand.”

Cllr Cherry brooks, cabinet member for the economy at Purbeck District Council, said: “The whole Innovation Park is vitally important to the district and county, so we are committed to its success. These new businesses at the Quadrant add to the mix of other high-quality businesses already on site.”