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Google Campus opens in London

by Mark Tyson on 30 March 2012, 12:20

Tags: Google (NASDAQ:GOOG)

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Yesterday in Old Street, near London's "Silicon Roundabout," the UK Government's Chancellor George Osborne opened the seven-storey Google Campus. The centre will be the largest purpose-built unit for business startups in the whole of Europe. The objective is to offer help to UK tech startups; office space, events, training and mentoring from Google staff. The campus project is part of the government's Tech City initiative.

Mr Osborne and Google executives were very enthusiastic about what Google Campus can do for the British economy. Mr Osborne said:  “If this building is designed to be a hub for entrepreneurs and innovators in Tech City, in turn I want the UK to become the hub for technology in Europe as a whole. To borrow a phrase from Google – let’s fill this town, and this country, with start-ups.” He emphasised this initiative alongside the 50p top rate income tax-rate cut (to 45p) and reduction in corporation tax to 22 per cent by April 2014 showed the government's determination to "...create new jobs, new growth, and new prosperity in every corner of this country." A tax break was also touted for creative content producers.

Google's VP of Northern and Central Europe, Matt Brittin, said that other Google Campus developments may follow, depending on success in Tech City. Also yesterday Eze Vidra, the head of the Google Campus, London, called the opening a "transformational moment for the UK start-up community."

The Tech City area has indeed had a good measure of success; since the announcement of the government initiative in 2010 the number of IT and tech companies in the area have increased from 200 to over 700 today. This is good positive news and we all wish we can work our way out of this recession sooner rather than later. Let's hope some mighty oaks grow from these start-up acorns.

silicon roundabout

We thought you would all like a look at Silicon Roundabout. It's not even round...


HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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At the risk of sounding like a naysayer, there's a suspicion in my mind that “Silicon Roundabout” is sucking away funds that would have normally gone to similar “initiatives” in other places - e.g. there was the much touted “Silicon Glen” and I'm sure there was a Welsh equivalent at one point.

So yes, it's good news for London (and UK IT generally), but I'll only give a cheer when some of that “love” gets spread to other places! I still feel that this government is way too “London-centric” in it's views.

Of course if Google want to open a Scottish operation, then here's one guy that'd love the chance to put his c.v. in (not that I've got the slightest chance of a job offer from Google)
Silicon Roundabout, it's got rounded corners, which is a bit web 2.0 which is a bit 2007.
I agree with you crossy. Why London all the time. Its way to busy and hard to commute to/in - Why not a small town/city? Southampton for example (ok i'm biased) has several tech firms around (in out of town places like hedge end) so why not here or a similar place. I've just no interest in living or commuting to London so this campus is of no use to me.
Jonatron
Silicon Roundabout, it's got rounded corners, which is a bit web 2.0 which is a bit 2007.

Rounded corners you say?

Apple will be suing them any second now :D

On a serious note though it does seem another case of always london. Back in the Uk computer games industry hey day Liverpool had loads of big companies based there Including psygnosis now not so much :(
kopite
On a serious note though it does seem another case of always london. Back in the Uk computer games industry hey day Liverpool had loads of big companies based there Including psygnosis now not so much :(
Psygnosis - now there's a name I haven't heard in way too long. I had a t-shirt of theirs (a competition prize) until recently (missus threw it out). Ah, nostalgia ….

From what I understand, there's still an appreciable collection of video games companies in Dundee, there's a Rockstar office in Edinburgh, and of course there's Ubisoft Reflections in Newcastle.

Good to see that Osbourne managed to give the “creative industries” some tax breaks in the recent budget. (And no, I don't work in that industry!)