Multi-million-pound investment powers new Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14

Work has begun on a new multi-million pound Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14 in Suffolk.  Funded jointly by Freeport East and Mid Suffolk District Council the project will drive business growth, particularly in the green economy, digital, and AI sectors, while creating new training opportunities across the region.

Located at the heart of Gateway 14 – part of Freeport East and strategically positioned at Junction 50 of the A14, only 20 miles from the Port of Felixstowe – the three-storey centre will serve as a hub for entrepreneurship, collaboration, and green skills development. It will provide high-quality training opportunities in partnership with the Universities of Suffolk and Essex and West Suffolk College, equipping the local workforce with expertise in fast-growing sectors such as the green economy, digital technology, and AI.

Freeport East is investing £16.6 million in the centre with Mid Suffolk District Council also contributing to the £18.8m project. The investment reinforces Freeport East’s role in attracting businesses, creating jobs, and positioning Mid Suffolk and the East of England as leaders in innovation and sustainability.

Property developer Jaynic is delivering the project as the development partner of Gateway 14 Ltd – a wholly owned subsidiary of Mid Suffolk District Council – with the centre being built to a BREAAM standard of ‘excellent’ ensuring it is highly sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East, said: “Today marks a significant milestone for Stowmarket and the wider region. This state-of-the-art facility at Gateway 14 will be a catalyst for economic growth, serving as a hub to support businesses and provide cutting-edge training opportunities to address critical skills gaps. Situated between the UK’s largest trading hub at Felixstowe and the world-class innovation facilities at Cambridge and the wider East of England, our region will be a natural choice for ambitious businesses in the fast-growing green economy.”

Cllr Richard Winch, Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said: “This is such a significant moment for a transformational project that is not only beneficial for Stowmarket, but for the whole region.

“The Skills and Innovation Centre is set to be a hub for talented local businesses with a particular focus on the green economy, digital and AI technology – providing a talent pipeline that will allow firms to innovate and grow, as well as encouraging more inward investment to our area.

“We have ticked the boxes and jumped the hurdles, we are now delivering on our promises and bringing these plans to life.”

Sir Christopher Haworth, chairman of Gateway 14 Ltd, said: “We are looking forward to the centre providing a critical link between education and industry – serving young people looking to start their careers and also business seeking capable graduates and young people – as well as it providing a valuable base for fledgling businesses.”

Ben Oughton, Jaynic’s development director, said: “The skills and innovation centre at Gateway 14, ensures that the site is becoming a truly mixed-use scheme attracting a variety of users that will benefit the regional economy in this part of East Anglia.”

Construction is also underway at Gateway 14 for a new distribution centre for Ipswich-based Bauder – which makes sustainable roofing, and work will soon begin on a new £45m factory for Assan Panel, bringing a further 100 jobs to the area.

Gateway 14’s first unit to have been completed – a 1.17million sq ft logistics and distribution centre for The Range – is already up and running, with the company currently recruiting to fill the 1,650 jobs required to reach full operational capacity.