DISADVANTAGED people will be helped to become part of the Cambridge enterprise culture if a new innovation centre gets the go-ahead.

 

The Cambridge Community Innovation Centre will be purpose-built on the site of the old Howard Mallett building in the Petersfield area of Cambridge.

 

The low-rise, fully accessible, and environmentally friendly building will become a launch pad and base for social enterprises run on a not-for-profit basis and for start-ups by young or disadvantaged people. There will be a café, meeting rooms and rehearsal space in the building, which will act as a central hub for advisory services.

 

Tim Jones, chief executive of Citylife, a Cambridge-based charitable society which runs schemes around the country, said: "We have a vision of an innovative building that will be an integral part of its green environment: open, airy and welcoming.

 

"It will be a showcase for local small creative firms that are a growing market for employment; and will ensure people currently struggling because of the cost or unsuitability of local premises can get a fair chance at setting up a small business."

 

Plans for the building will be unveiled at a public exhibition on the evenings of January 18 and 19 in St Matthew's School, Norfolk Street.

 

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