Innovation hub planned for East Lothian

A Scottish university has submitted plans for a £80m innovation hub which it says will create 13,000 jobs in the area.

Queen Margaret University (QMU), based in Musselburgh, has unveiled plans to attract growing SMEs to its new facility, which will begin with a 5,000 sqm innovation centre.

If successful, it would accommodate commercial facilities including a hotel, gym and retail outlets.

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Areas of innovation proposed include food and drink and biomedical and enabling technologies for rehabilitation, all of which are understood to be the University’s research strengths.

Principal Professor Petra Wend says the plans would be relevant to proposals for a city region deal which is being prepared by Edinburgh and other authorities in South East Scotland.

“QMU has a key role as a catalyst to attract high growth SMEs to East Lothian and to work with them to achieve Scotland’s economic aspirations in partnership with industry bodies, other learning institutions and Government Agencies.

“To achieve this potential, the land adjacent to our campus must be retained for the development of specialist facilities needed to support business growth,” she said.

Community consultation on the proposals submitted to East Lothian Council takes place today at the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh.