XPLOR - The research & innovation centre for entertainment, technology and production
About The Project
Located on campus at Production Park, the £7m+ XPLOR research and innovation centre and its state-of-the-art facilities and equipment will be used to deliver a support programme for SMEs across the Leeds City Region and beyond covering specialisms such as music, TV, film, sports, corporate events, theatre and arts.
By drawing on the expertise of both industry and academia, working together in one location, XPLOR will drive research excellence and support industrial growth in the entertainment technology and production sectors with capabilities including concept & product design, software control, automation, prototyping, testing and digital content design.
The XPLOR project has secured grant funding from European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
The project - which runs from 2019 until 2022, is part financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the project team has secured £3,564,852 of grant funding from ERDF to support the delivery of this project.
Aims and Results
The project will;
- See the Design and build of a 2520m2 specialist knowledge and innovation centre located at the heart of an existing cluster of businesses that support the live events industry and its supply chain of businesses
- Deliver a range of activities to SME’s in the live events industry and related supply chain industries such as digital integration and visualisation, immersive spaces, augmented and virtual reality in production; tools and standards for touring production; manufacturing processes; new materials applications and testing, cross market application in live events work flows,
- Identify cross sector opportunities with SME’s in other sectors
- Deliver Specific lecture/engagement events, offer access to specialist concept/design support, make available workshop space and Meeting space/event space, provide access to international trade/industry events and facilitate Student Projects that support the industry.
It is expected that over the life of the project, the following ERDF specific outputs will be achieved;
| Indicator | Definition | Outputs |
| C1 | Number of Enterprises Receiving Support | 60 |
| C4 | Number of Enterprises Receiving Non-Financial Support | 60 |
| C5 | Number of New Enterprises Supported | 10 |
| C8 | Employment Increase in Supported Enterprises | 10 |
| C25 | Number of Researchers Working in Improved Research Infrastructure Facilities | 4 |
| C28 | Number of Enterprises Supported to Introduce New to the Market Products | 10 |
| C29 | Number of Enterprises Supported to Introduce New to the Firm Products | 20 |
| P2 | Public or Commercial Buildings Built or Renovated | 2520m2 |
Contract Opportunities
We are now inviting formal expressions of interest from principal contractors wishing to tender for the construction of the Backstage Academy Innovation Hub.
The BackStage Academy Innovation Hub project will create a specialist knowledge and innovation centre that will focus on research and development (R&D) for the live events industry and its supply chain. Located in South Kirkby, Wakefield, the Innovation Hub will be situated at the heart of a cluster of live events industry specialists. The Innovation Hub and its specialist equipment will be used to deliver a support programme targeting SMEs across the live events industry, covering specialisms such as music, TV, film, sports, corporate events, theatre and arts.
Following on from demolition of the existing, dilapidated Unit 3a by our demolition partner, the principal contractor will be responsible for delivery of the 2,520m2 research and development hub on Production Park in South Kirkby. Tenders are sought from experienced design & build contractors capable of delivering high-quality, BREEAM Excellent buildings, working with private and public stakeholders. Construction is scheduled to commence during quarter one of 2021.
To register your expression of interest, please contact: backstageinnovationhub@wakefield.gov.uk
Backstage Innovation Hub Project Team
Clare Hunt
Project Manager – Backstage Innovation Hub
chunt@wakefield.gov.uk