Musselburgh-based Queen Margaret University is preparing to submit plans for a commercial and innovation hub which could support up to 13,000 jobs.

It has put forward a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for an investment ready business hub on the land adjacent to its Musselburgh campus it believes is needed to drive sustainable economic development that will benefit communities in East Edinburgh, Lothian and Border regions.

The University has identified food and drink, entrepreneurship and creative industry, and biomedical and enabling technologies for rehabilitation as key areas of innovation and growth. Phase One of the innovation park is for the development of a 5,000 sqm innovation centre.

The commercial development will create a vibrant area combining innovation activity with the support of the University’s academic resources together with local amenities.

It’s a community-focused scheme that will provide a range of facilities including retail, coffee shops, health and fitness, hotel and residential accommodation.

QMU Principal PROFESSOR PETRA WEND said: “We have drawn on international best practice in developing our plans.

A £1bn city region deal bid has been submitted by Edinburgh and the south east area of Scotland which concentrates on the region’s strengths of knowledge culture and technology. Although still in its early stage, we are confident that if the deal progresses that our proposals would be relevant for inclusion.”

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