Latest news with #PioneerGroup
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Oxford leisure park science lab plan revised after criticism
Plans to replace a popular leisure complex in Oxford with science laboratories have been revised following widespread Pioneer Group and landowner Firoka Group had originally proposed demolishing facilities at the Grenoble Road site next to the Kassam Stadium, including the Vue Cinema and Hollywood updated plans now include a new cinema, bowling alley and restaurants to replace those previously earmarked for demolition, alongside new research developers also plan to restore the pre-existing Priory pub, describing the scheme as an opportunity to "reinvigorate the entire site". Residents will be able to provide feedback and ask questions about the new proposals during a drop-in event at the site on 16 July between 14:00 and 19:00 BST. Under the updated plans, new "world class facilities" for the life science sector will still be team behind the Ozone Reimagined scheme said the development would create 1,900 new jobs, from entry-level positions to technical and research Latham, Pioneer Group's director, said: "We've worked hard to shape what we believe is an exciting future for this important site."We've heard from many people about how much the Ozone Leisure Park and the Priory Pub mean to the community."This scheme not only safeguards valued leisure facilities and brings the Priory back into use but also offers an opportunity to reinvigorate the entire site – creating more jobs, green spaces, restaurants and cafes."A spokesperson for Firoka Group added: "We are excited to be progressing these proposals for the Ozone Leisure Park – a site that, in its current form, is no longer sustainable."The site is currently home to a Vue Cinema, Hollywood Bowl, as well as bars and restaurants. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
City shopping centre to be demolished to make way for science lab, gym & hotel – and shoppers despair ‘it's a sad sight'
A POPULAR shopping centre is set to be demolished in a major UK city. The Grafton Centre in Cambridge housed just 11 retailers after years of decline. 5 5 5 Built in 1983, the shopping hub has undergone significant changes in the 40 years since it was built. An expansion took place in the 1990s, in addition to a recent refurbishment in 2017. Despite attempts to revive the struggling centre, Cambridge City Council approved plans to partially demolish the building in February 2024. Led by the Pioneer Group, the demolished site will be replaced by science laboratories, plus a hotel and a gym. It hopes to be a more productive use of the space, as the shopping centre had become run down with lots of empty units. increasingly empty. Shoppers told Cambridgeshire Live that they were "sad" to see the shopping centre so empty. Maddy Richer said: "It's just sad because this is in the centre of Cambridge. "I suppose it is good for the science industry but I don't know if it has to be right in the centre of Cambridge." Locals expressed frustration that the redevelopment plan has taken so long, with the centre lying mostly empty for two years. Birmingham give update on new £3billion stadium as they announce major development Families in the area expressed concern that the science-focused redevelopment will leave the area with fewer activities for children. Kim High told the local newspaper: "It used to be a great place for families to do activities. "Things like that we will miss because there is not much else to do. "I think Cambridge is just gearing towards science and not families." With just 11 retailers left in the store, some locals said that they "don't think it is good publicity for Cambridge" and they would rather the space be put to better use. 5 5 The latest business to announce its departure from the store is cinema chain Vue, who will close this summer. The closure comes as high streets up and down the country struggle to cope with the decline in footfall since Covid. With many retailers moving online, shopping centres have seen retailers closing stores, leaving them empty and derelict. This becomes unattractive for customers, further reducing footfall and leaving councils looking for an alternative use for these vast spaces. With its university population and appeal for young people, the new development could provide exciting research and job opportunities. It does, however, mark the end of a historic building once-beloved by families for its wide range of shops and entertainment options.
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
‘P4' shot to Guntur Municipal Corporation's Animal Birth Control programme
GUNTUR: Delhi Public School (DPS), in partnership with the Pioneer Group and the Chukkapalli Shankara Rao Charitable Trust, has pledged monthly financial support to the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) for its Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme aimed at reducing the stray dog population. At a meeting in the Municipal Commissioner's office on Friday, DPS representative Chukkapalli Rakesh submitted a letter of commitment to Mayor Kovelamudi Ravindra and GMC Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu. The pledge supports the State's 'P4' public-private partnership initiative. The officials said complaints about stray dog attacks have increased, with approximately 30,000 stray dogs identified in the city. The GMC recently deputed a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon from the Animal Husbandry Department to oversee the programme. The partnering organisations will contribute `3 lakh per month for 10 months to support sterilisations and anti-rabies vaccinations. Officials plan to implement a systematic daily sterilisation schedule to reduce dog bites and rabies spread. Veterinary Assistant Surgeon Dr Venkateswara Rao and representatives from DPS, the Pioneer Group and the trust attended the meeting.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Several hundred' new jobs in pipeline from development expanding complex
Hundreds of new jobs are being predicted from a new development adjacent to the massive Wilton International complex on Teesside. Redcar and Cleveland Council recently approved plans for new advanced manufacturing facilities, laboratories and office space in an expansion of the Wilton Centre. The science park is one of Europe's largest research and development facilities, housing a total of 60 global and regional businesses in the chemical, manufacturing, material, and life science industries. Operator the Pioneer Group said the plans translated to a 'significant investment' with potentially several hundred new jobs to follow in the years to come. In all, there will be 16 units providing technical development space, a two-storey incubator building containing 14 fully-equipped laboratories, as well as five offices. Executive director Toby Reid said: 'Companies at the Wilton Centre are tackling a range of issues from difficult to recycle materials to removing fossil fuels from manufacturing processes. 'The new development will allow more companies like these to get started and scale their processes in purpose built facilities, creating jobs and ultimately positively impacting the health of our planet.' Steve Duffield, director of the Wilton Centre, which is marking its 50th birthday this year, said: 'This is great news for Teesside, the Centre and the scientists, researchers and support staff who will hopefully be working here in the not too distant future.' Architectural designs have been provided by Logic Architecture, based in Middlesbrough's Boho Zone. The plans were first submitted to the local authority towards the end of December 2023 and have been subject to extensive consultation with a number of statutory bodies and stakeholders. The Wilton Centre has Teesside Freeport status, meaning occupiers benefit from a range of incentives, including savings on stamp duty, business rates and National Insurance contributions. A recent study suggested lack of laboratory space in the North East is hindering the development and expansion of the region's science and technology sectors. A report arising from the study concluded that addressing this shortage was 'crucial' for fostering a thriving environment for research and development. The Pioneer Group is a leading developer and operator of life science and high-tech campuses and manages 12 leading innovation locations across the UK and Ireland. For information about the Pioneer Group and the Wilton Centre visit
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cinema is part of plan for controversial new Oxford science park
The developer behind a controversial plan to replace a leisure complex with science laboratories has said it is drawing-up plans for a replacement Group is proposing to demolish the Vue Cinema, Hollywood Bowl, restaurants, a bar, and other leisure amenities at the Grenoble Road site next to the Kassam Stadium in also says the Priory pub, formerly Minchery Farmhouse, will be put "back into a sustainable long-term use, taking it off Historic England's 'at-risk' register".The Grade II listed pub closed in 2013 and has remained empty. A petition to save the cinema and bowling alley has attracted more than 3,000 petition's organiser said news of the redevelopment "came like a heavy blow" and the facilities there "are more than just places of entertainment - they are significant parts of our shared cultural and social life. This closing will wipe away an integral part of our community's vibrancy and vitality."Recently the Odeon cinemas on George Street and Magdalen Street closed leaves local film lovers with the Curzon, Phoenix Picturehouse, and independent cinema the Ultimate Picture Palace. Pioneer Group said it is drawing up plans for a replacement cinema "at a scale that will be attractive to operators".It is also exploring, what it is calling "other ideas for valuable community amenities".The new development would feature 500,000 sqft (152,400 sqm) of office and laboratory a statement, Pioneer Group said the investment would generate at least 2,500 jobs and enhance local transport, including "financial support for the Cowley Branch Line". A community consultation event will be held at the Ozone Leisure Park on 20th by Design say the event will be "an opportunity for the project team to engage with local residents, understand their priorities, and share thoughts, ideas, and aspirations for the site."Landowner Firoka Group, developer Pioneer Group, and planning consultants Bidwells have previously said the leisure facilities will be replaced by a "vibrant science and community cluster". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
