Pioneering business project celebrates a landmark

The i-lab was launched by Bedford Borough Council to provide flexible and affordable office accommodation tailored towards innovative and exciting businesses, including start-ups.

Located in Priory Business Park, i-lab has spaces small enough for 1-2 people, and large enough for a team of 20 people.

Since 2006, the centre has been home to more than 250 expanding businesses and over the years many have moved to larger premises.

To celebrate a decade of achievements, the i-lab team held an event for staff and both current and former businesses on Wednesday, July 20, attended by Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson.

He said: “Bedford i-lab is a crucial incubator of business and entrepreneurship in Bedford borough. Over the years the council has seen many i-lab tenants grow and achieve great success thanks to the help they have received here in an ideal environment for innovative, smaller businesses. I would like to thank all staff and tenants, old and new, for their part in shaping what has been a real business success story for Bedford borough over the last 10 years. We look forward to further success for the i-lab and its businesses over the next ten years and beyond.”

Mr Hodgson is pictured with assistant centre manager Syreeta Kalyan, head of economic development Mark Oakley and i-Brand centre manager Simon Dunning.