New office space in a £7 million riverside development has been taken up by De Montfort University Leicester so businesses can meet with university experts, exchange ideas and discuss commercial opportunities.
The new DMU Research, Business and Innovation (RBI) Exchange Office is based at Friars Mill, a £7.1 million development made up of four historic Grade II-listed buildings by the River Soar, close to Leicester city centre.
They are managed by East Midlands Chamber and form part of Leicester City Council's waterside redevelopment plans.
The development is designed to spark collaboration and encourage faster business growth in the city and county.
DMU events at Friars Mill will include "Textiles Tuesdays", a business breakfast club, industry innovation forums, university expertise meetings and presentations highlighting #DMUlocal initiatives which businesses can join.
The #DMUlocal programme was created by the university to make a significant contribution to the social and economic development of Leicester and bring positive change across the city using the expertise of students and academics.
Nigel Wright, DMU's Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, said: "Our investment into the RBI Exchange Office is an important aspect of the university's partnerships with local industry, reigniting our industrial links from the past by bringing together the best of university innovations and connecting them to business to support growth for the local and national economy."
Friars Mill was originally known as the Donisthorpe factory and dates back to 1739. The building is a magnificent example of how Leicestershire's woollen industry was originally created as a textiles manufacturing site.
DMU was originally founded as the Leicester School of Art in 1870 and our reputation for quality and distinctiveness in teaching and research is a direct result of our heritage. DMU's history stems back to when the School of Art and Leicester Technical School began training apprentices for local industries such as boot and shoe manufacture, furniture making and design, hosiery and textiles manufacture, engineering, printing and book binding.
If you are interested in running an event at the RBI Exchange Office please contact the RBI Directorate on email: rbi@dmu.ac.uk
Posted on Friday 16 December 2016