The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP Minister of State (Minister for Immigration) visited Bingham Arena Leisure Centre and Enterprise Centre to explore the new £20m addition to the town.
Accompanied by Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Simon Robinson, Lex Leisure partners and Council officers, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP was first given a tour of the £13m leisure centre followed by a visit to the new offices adjacent to Bingham Arena.
It is the first facility locally to welcome significant swimming galas, competitions and events, thanks to a 330-seater swimming pool spectating area, presenting new opportunities with swim instructors qualified to Swim England standard.
Bingham Jubilee Community Hall was also a tour highlight featuring a stage and space for audiences of up to 300 people so named to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. The community hall is courtesy of part-funding from D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and support from Bingham Town Council.
• Bingham Arena Leisure Centre opens to the public
The visit continued on to look around the brand-new offices at the Enterprise Centre which are courtesy of funding from the European Regional Development Fund and Local Growth Funding from D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
The 12 self-contained high spec fibre-connected office suites over two floors range in size from 47 square metres (506 square feet) to 108 square metres (1,163 square feet) and in under two months of opening, the Council has secured 11 out of the 12 tenants.
Now local businesses from across a range of industries including IT providers, care home head offices, an architect firm, facilities management, tech and software developer, social media agency, building control and more are settling into the building.
• Video: First look inside Bingham Arena Leisure Centre
During the visit to the town, The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick also visited Romans’ Quarter new housing development on a site tour.
The major development will create 1,050 houses, employment opportunities and facilities for the community with the first residents having moved in July 2019.
Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Simon Robinson said:
“We’re pleased to welcome The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP to the Borough and present some of our outstanding facilities and major housing developments taking place.
“Bingham Arena is a wonderful new venue that provides contemporary facilities the local community can be proud of at the heart of one of our growing towns.
“Crucially in line with our Carbon Clever priorities, the building has a 78% carbon emission reduction compared to other leisure centres locally. It’s vital we set an example for others to follow in investing in new infrastructure in the right way.
“The Enterprise Centre already has eight occupants and three more are set to move in within the next couple of months which is fantastic.
“We completed research prior that found there was a big demand for businesses who wanted to stay in the town so the twelve new office spaces on site will help to retain local talent.
“Rushcliffe is a great place to live and we have a lot to be proud of so I’m delighted to have this opportunity to showcase some of our major developments which play a key role in our economic growth.”
The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP Minister of State (Minister for Immigration) said: “I’m incredibly impressed by the facilities available here at Bingham Arena.
“Rushcliffe Borough Council and everyone involved have done an amazing job overseeing this major development to fruition.
“Bingham is a fast-growing town and I’m pleased it has the leisure facilities it deserves.
“During my visit, I was hugely impressed with the friendly and helpful staff and it’s great to see everyone enjoying and making use of the facilities.
“I was particularly impressed by the Enterprise Centre. I don’t want Bingham to be a large commuter town. I want there to be opportunities for jobs and local entrepreneurs for successful businesses.
“There has been a lack of commercial space here for a long time and these new offices enable businesses to grow and thrive and employ local people close to home.”
