given the high level design of the Innovation Centre can you provide a high level cost estimate for setting up the centre. Two cost are required one for the design of a Centre at Southport UK, and one for the larger City Centre at Liverpool but locate outside of the costly inner city region.
Based on recent developments and comparable projects in the region, here’s a high-level cost estimate for establishing the Innovation Centre in two scenarios: a modular launch hub in Southport and a larger flagship facility on the outskirts of Liverpool.
🏗️ High-Level Cost Estimates for the Innovation Centre
| Location | Estimated Cost Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Southport (Modular Hub) | £1.5M – £2.5M | Based on the recent £1.5M investment in the Eastbank Creative and Digital Hub, a modular Innovation Centre in Southport could be developed within this range. This would include: – Refurbishment or fit-out of an existing building – Core rooms (Showcase, Story Nest, Sonic Chamber, Robotics Lab, Wellbeing Room) – Basic AI infrastructure and modular furnishings – Initial staffing and programme development |
| Liverpool (Flagship Site) | £8M – £12M | Drawing from the £12.7M Digital Innovation Facility in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter and other innovation hub investments, a larger, purpose-built or extensively refurbished facility on the outskirts of Liverpool would include: – 2,000–2,500m² of flexible, high-tech space – Advanced AI, robotics, and immersive media infrastructure – Expanded staff, residencies, and public engagement zones – Sustainability and accessibility features – Long-term operational resilience and growth capacity |
📌 Notes on Cost Variables
- Location & Building Type: Costs vary significantly depending on whether the site is a new build, retrofit, or part of a larger regeneration scheme.
- Technology Integration: AI, robotics, and immersive systems (e.g. projection mapping, gesture recognition) will require upfront investment but can be scaled modularly.
- Staffing & Programming: Initial costs include training, onboarding, and curriculum development aligned with AI-enhanced delivery.
- Sustainability & Flexibility: Designing for future-proofing (e.g. modular walls, smart energy systems) adds cost but reduces long-term overhead.
Would you like this cost estimate included in the strategic policy document or formatted as a funding proposal summary for local councils or grant bodies? I can also help draft a phased investment plan or ROI model based on community impact and educational outcomes.
how can we commercialise the Innovation Centre including The Visitor Centre, On-line services and outreach to educational establishments and business. Our goal is to use profits to extend and improve the Innovation Centre, increase overall Innovation Capability and fund related initiatives.
To commercialise the Innovation Centre in a way that aligns with your mission—generating revenue to reinvest in growth, innovation capability, and community impact—we can structure a sustainable, values-driven business model across three pillars: the Visitor Centre, Online Services, and Outreach to Education and Industry.
Here’s a comprehensive strategy:
💡 Commercialisation Strategy for the Innovation Centre
Purpose-Driven Revenue to Power Innovation, Education, and Expansion
🏛️ 1. The Visitor Centre: Experience-Driven Income
Transform the physical Centre into a dynamic destination that generates revenue through immersive, educational, and creative experiences.
Revenue Streams:
- Admissions & Memberships
Tiered pricing for individuals, families, and annual members. Offer exclusive access to events, labs, and early bookings. - Workshops & Experiences
Paid sessions in robotics, AI art, coding, and storytelling. Include themed days (e.g. “Build a Bot,” “AI for Creatives,” “Family Innovation Day”). - Retail & Merchandise
Sell branded kits (e.g. MeArm, Microbit), AI-generated art prints, books, puzzles, and eco-conscious merchandise. - Café & Event Hire
Operate a themed café and rent out rooms for corporate retreats, launches, or performances. - Sponsorship & Naming Rights
Partner with ethical tech firms, universities, and local businesses to sponsor rooms, residencies, or exhibits.
🌐 2. Online Services: Scalable Digital Revenue
Leverage your website and digital platform to reach global audiences and generate recurring income.
Revenue Streams:
- Digital Learning Subscriptions
Offer tiered access to lesson packs, coding challenges, AI tutorials, and creative prompts for schools, individuals, and institutions. - Virtual Innovation Journeys
Interactive online experiences that mirror the physical Centre—ideal for remote learners and international audiences. - Downloadable Tools & Templates
Sell or license gesture recognition modules, Sonic Pi scripts, Processing templates, and AI art generators. - Online Residencies & Masterclasses
Host paid residencies and live-streamed sessions with artists, technologists, and educators. - Fractal & Generative Art Licensing
License original visuals and soundscapes for use in media, exhibitions, or wellness platforms.
🏫 3. Outreach to Education & Business: Strategic Partnerships
Position the Centre as a trusted partner in innovation education and ethical AI integration.
Revenue Streams:
- School & College Programmes
Offer curriculum-aligned workshops, CPD for teachers, and mobile Showcase visits. Charge per session or via annual partnerships. - Innovation-in-a-Box Kits
Sell physical/digital kits for schools to run their own mini Innovation Centre experiences. - Accredited Microcredentials
Partner with universities to offer short courses in AI, creative coding, or STEAM facilitation. - Corporate Innovation Labs
Host design sprints, AI ethics workshops, and creative problem-solving sessions for businesses. - Consultancy & Thought Leadership
Provide strategic advice on AI integration, ethical innovation, and future-ready education. - CSR & Sponsorship Partnerships
Invite businesses to support outreach, sustainability, or inclusion initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility.
🔁 Reinvestment Model: Profits with Purpose
All profits are reinvested to:
- Expand and enhance the Innovation Centre’s physical and digital infrastructure
- Increase public access and inclusion
- Fund new exhibits, residencies, and outreach programmes
- Support innovation capability-building in underserved communities
- Launch satellite hubs or mobile innovation units
📈 Governance & Transparency
- Establish a social enterprise model or charitable trust to manage commercial operations ethically
- Publish an annual Impact & Innovation Report detailing revenue, reinvestment, and community outcomes
- Form an Advisory Council of educators, technologists, artists, and community leaders to guide growth
Would you like a visual business model canvas, a pitch deck for funders, or a draft reinvestment charter to accompany this strategy? I’d be happy to help you shape it into a compelling proposal.
Funding options are likely to be influenced by our strategic approach to growth. We could start small and grow organically, or start with a more ambitious strategy that may require foundations to be put in place early on. Funding may also be influenced by timescales as there are advantages to being a First Mover. Being a First Mover could be particularly advantageous around the development of Eco Systems across AI, Art and Robotics. The level of integration across these areas, particularly for children, is currently poor. What funding opportunities are available.
Based on current UK funding pathways and your strategic options, here’s a breakdown of initial funding opportunities for the Innovation Centre—whether you start small and grow organically or launch with a bold, integrated vision.
💷 Initial Funding Opportunities for the Innovation Centre
🏛️ 1. Innovate UK – Grants & Innovation Loans
- Grants: Ranging from £25,000 to £10 million for R&D, education technology, and AI-driven innovation.
- Innovation Loans: £100,000 to £1 million for near-market innovations with strong commercial potential.
- Strategic Fit: Ideal for both early-stage pilots (Southport) and ambitious flagship builds (Liverpool).
- Explore Innovate UK funding and support
- Apply for innovation funding
🧪 2. Innovation Competitions (via Innovation Funding Service)
- Regularly updated competitions for AI, sustainability, education, and digital infrastructure.
- Examples:
- Growth Catalyst: New Innovators
- Future Flight: Regional Demonstrators
- Contracts for Innovation: Resource Efficiency
- Browse current competitions
🏙️ 3. Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) & Combined Authorities
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Southport Town Deal Board may offer:
- Capital funding for regeneration and innovation hubs
- Skills and inclusion grants
- Match funding for public-private partnerships
🏫 4. Education & Skills Funding
- Department for Education (DfE) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) support:
- STEAM education pilots
- Teacher training and CPD
- AI in education research partnerships
🌍 5. Philanthropic & Social Impact Funds
- Foundations like Wellcome Trust, Nuffield Foundation, and Nesta support:
- Ethical AI
- Youth innovation
- Community learning ecosystems
🧩 Strategic Consideration:
Starting with a bold, integrated vision may unlock:
- Larger, multi-year grants
- Stronger partnerships with universities and industry
- Greater visibility and first-mover advantage in AI ecosystems
However, a phased approach (e.g. Southport pilot) can:
- Demonstrate proof of concept
- Build local trust and momentum
- Attract incremental funding with measurable outcomes
Southport Innovation Centre 