A COLLEGE has strengthened its links with the business community by taking over the management of a home for small firms and entrepreneurs.

Oxford & Cherwell Valley College will run the Colin Sanders Innovation Centre in Banbury from the end of this month, taking over from Oxford Innovation.

The college, which will be known as Banbury & Bicester College from September, already owns the site based in Mewburn Road that provides managed office space for small and growing local businesses.

Rose Turner, who will become principal of the college, said: “We’re excited by the prospect of working with these businesses and exploring the opportunities this could provide for our students.

“As a business centre it supports our aim to offer students access to commercial organisations as we break down the barriers between education and employment.

“It also supports our strategy for business growth.

“We’re looking forward to harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit that exists within the centre as well as exploring opportunities for work experience or longer-term placements for students on business studies and other courses.”

The Colin Sanders Innovation Centre opened in 1999 and is named after Colin Sanders, who founded Solid State Logic in 1969 and went on to launch a number of technology-based companies and invest in other high-growth start-ups.

It provides almost 11,000 sq ft of office space, offering a home for up to 27 start-up and growing companies with between one and 15 staff.

The three members of staff currently employed by OI to run the centre will stay on.

Chris Allington, managing director of OI’s business and innovation centres division, said: “The time is now right for OCVC to lead the centre’s future development as part of its strategy to boost links between further education and business.”