Edinburgh Innovation Hub already providing huge community benefits

The Edinburgh Innovation Hub (EIH) is a joint venture between East Lothian Council and Queen Margaret University (QMU). It will be a nationally significant centre for innovation-driven business growth, creating new high-value employment, and is the anchor project of the planned Edinburgh Innovation Park. 

The 7,200 sqm Hub, which commenced construction in early 2024, is expected to be ready for new tenants by mid-October. If offers flexible laboratory, office and fully equipped meeting and conference spaces for rent by small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with a particular focus on life sciences, food and drink, tech, start-ups and companies and organisations with links to the university and strategic partners. There has been significant interest from potential tenants.

EIH is part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal (ESESCRD) and is supported by £28.6 million from the UK Government, £1.4 million from the Scottish Government and £10 million from East Lothian Council.

Mr McKee met representatives from EIH, East Lothian Council, QMU, ESESCRD and the contractor Heron Bros on-site today and was particularly interested to hear about the embedding of Community Wealth Building from the outset. 

Highlights include:

·       Local spend: Heron Bros’ local spend within a 40 mile radius is over £400,000 over the course of the project, with more than £22,000 of charitable donations made and 50 hours of Heron Bros staff volunteering over the period.

·       Local employment: More than 400 staff employed during the construction period, with 66% of labour from within the region. Two East Lothian residents were supported into newly created positions and have sustained their roles for the duration of the construction phase.

·       Progressive Procurement – Meet the Buyer: Heron Bros and ESESCRD held a ‘meet the buyer’ event, inviting suppliers and contractors from the local area to attend during a critical procurement period of the project. Notable outcomes included: a local bricklaying subcontractor who attended the event being contracted to install all brickwork at EIH, now moving onto other projects with Heron Bros across Scotland; the local concrete supplier also attended the event and provided all concrete for the main structure, slabs and kerbing; the on-site caterer was an East Lothian social enterprise. The event also helped potential subcontractors gain a better understanding of public procurement including processes, timelines and accessing support from local enterprise agencies, giving them the best possible advantage to secure future work.

·       Employability and Education: ESESCRD and Heron Bros engaged with various local schools and education partners offering numerous site visits and work placements. During these placements the site team and sub-contractors engaged in daily taster sessions with placement attendees, giving them real-world experience of the daily task of painters, electricians, plumbers, joiners, engineers and site managers.

·       Construction Skills Academy/Scottish Pathways to Construction: Heron Bros, along with various industry partners, took a central role in the launch of a new industry-wide construction programme designed to support local individuals from under-represented groups progress into fair, secure and supported opportunities within the construction industry. Heron Bros delivered and shaped training, site visits and work placements – a great opportunity to engage the local population in construction and the EIH. The success of this pilot has led to the programme now being rolled out across Scotland.

Community Wealth Building has been a central pillar of the ESESCRD, with the ethos embedded across all projects, including the Edinburgh Innovation Hub, ensuring that investment delivers long-lasting benefits for our businesses, communities and people. 

Community Wealth Building is a progressive economic model with a people-centred approach, which redirects wealth back into the local economy through various means including progressive procurement, fostering more social and environmentally-orientated businesses and co-ops, and fair employment including Real Living Wage employers and increased employment opportunities for local people and from priority groups. 

QMU and East Lothian Council are recognised leaders in applying Community Wealth Building principles. QMU presented its approach as a national case study at the Local Government Improvement in Scotland conference in April 2025, while East Lothian Council has been cited by COSLA and the Scottish Government as an early adopter of the Community Wealth Building model. The joint venture to deliver the EIH is central to their shared work.

Mr McKee said: “The Edinburgh Innovation Hub at Queen Margaret University is a great example of how the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal has embedded Community Wealth Building into investments made under the deal. To support further progress across Scotland, we have introduced a Community Wealth Building Bill to ensure that more wealth is retained in communities through fairer employment opportunities and the growth of local enterprises”.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, Leader of East Lothian Council, said: “The major investment in this project by the council and UK and Scottish Governments will help drive economic growth in our region and is already demonstrating significant and tangible benefits to our local communities, as the Minister heard today. I am delighted that the project, at its very early stages, has boosted local employment and local spend and has benefited our young people in work experience and placements and given a boost to important community groups and charities.” 

Cathal Heron, Regional Director of Heron Bros, said: “It’s been a privilege to help bring the Edinburgh Innovation Hub to life. From day one, we’ve worked hard to ensure the project delivers real benefits for the local community – not just through the building itself, but by creating jobs and supporting local businesses. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the Hub will have when it opens its doors.”

For more information on the ESESCRD Community Wealth Building and Benefits Portal please visit the website.  

More information on the Edinburgh Innovation Hub is on the website.

For more information on East Lothian Council’s Community Wealth Building approach, visit our website. 

For more information on Queen Margaret University's Community Wealth Building approach, visit our website.