Lincolnshire Research Centre wins venue award

The centre was awarded for its proactive approach to the partnership

---

Lincolnshire Open Research and Innovation Centre (LORIC) has won Venue of the Year at The Growth Community 2023 Awards.

Founded in 2017, LORIC is part of Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) and works to promote a different way of thinking about data for businesses across Greater Lincolnshire and level the playing field for small businesses. At the centre, University researchers and data experts are on hand to guide businesses through using data and Open Data to grow and innovate.

The centre is based in the renovated St Hughes building on Newport, Lincoln which has been designed to provide a high tech collaboration space for researchers, organisations and local businesses.

LORIC hosts The Growth Community's fortnightly meetings, where local business representatives and entrepreneurs can attend for free and identify opportunities to work collaboratively with other attendees. The high standard of facilities and extra support the LORIC team offered set them apart from the other award nominees.

The Growth Community's Founder Nicky Thomas said: “Finding a venue that recognises the value they can get by partnering with a networking organisation, like The Growth Community, is harder that you would imagine. LORIC from the start became active members of our group. Committed to building relationships and helping each other to grow.

"They have never just been ‘room hire’; they have supported our members and guests and played a massive part in the success of the Lincoln group. We are so grateful to have had them along on our journey.”

Linette Wallace, Business Development Officer at BGU said “When I was introduced to Nicky Thomas from the Growth Community, she was looking for some urgent corporate venue space to host her bi-weekly networking events. I was delighted to offer not only the space in our beautiful building, but to provide direct business development support to group members.

"It has been fantastic news to learn that we have won “Venue of the Year” award, as we have always strived to welcome and assist the Growth Community members at every opportunity, also with bespoke consultancy support through the LORIC initiative."

The group meet Fridays, 10-11.30am every 2 weeks at LORIC, for further info: E: loric@bishopg.ac.uk

---