LSBU celebrates the opening of the new award-winning Clarence Centre
London South Bank University hosted a grand opening event to celebrate the addition of the Clarence Centre for Enterprise and Innovation to the UniversityLSBU has been providing flexible space for small businesses since the 1980s, and have expanded this provision with a brand new building dedicated to enhanced business support offering a permanent base for student entrepreneurs to run their start-ups and enterprising projects.
The official opening on Monday 22 September follows on from the Clarence Centre design being highly commended at the AJ Retrofit Awards 2014. The AJ Retrofit Awards reward and celebrate design engineering and construction excellence that prolongs the active life of buildings and infrastructure.
After a large number of entries from a range of different projects, the Clarence Centre's innovative design by acclaimed architects Rivington Street Studio impressed the judges in the 'Higher Education project over £5m' category.
Having lain derelict for decades, the Grade II-listed Georgian buildings of St George's Circus in Southwark were reimagined as a home for the local business community by LSBU. Located just minutes from Waterloo and London Bridge, it is designed as a friendly place where small businesses can benefit from networking and cross-pollination of ideas.
The opening event saw LSBU Chancellor Richard Farleigh officially launch the centre in front of a crowd of London's business leaders as well as LSBU students and staff.
Unveiling a plaque to commemorate the event, Richard Farleigh praised the university's commitment to fostering enterprise, and said: "Entrepreneurship is about knowledge, imagination and motivation – all things that LSBU inspires in its students."
LSBU's Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Phoenix remarked at the opening event: "In addition to providing support for businesses and students, the Clarence Centre is a focal point for people to come together in conversation. That is what a university is about – creating spaces to share ideas and opportunities."
Learn more about the Clarence Centre for Enterprise and Innovation