One of the biggest legacies of the 2012 Olympics could provide a major boost to the UK’s digital industry with plans to turn the dedicated media centre into an ‘Innovation City”, housing a data centre and digital academy.
iCity, a joint venture between data centre firm Infinity and property company Delances, has been selected as the preferred bidder for the Main Press Centre and International Broadcast Centre by the London Legacy Development Corporation.
The only other contender, the UK Fashion Hub consortium, has already pulled out.
iCity proposes to use the site to create an “Innovation City” with heavy focus on cloud computing, and claims it will create 6,600 jobs in and around the area. Being in close proximity to the key business district of Canary Warf, the highly connected building’s location is seen as ideal.
According to reports, the new site will house a data centre, media studios, a university, a digital academy and a new business incubator to develop a technology cluster “of international significance”.
iCity chief executive Gavin Poole said: “This is a unique opportunity to cement Britain’s position as a global leader in innovation and the creative industries. iCity will provide a sustainable legacy for the local community through the creation of thousands of jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities.”
