AN ENTERPRISE and innovation hub is to be developed on the site of the former Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock.

The hub is being created as part of The Halo Kilmarnock, a £65 million mixed use regeneration project developed following drinks giant Diageo’s decision to close the plant, with the loss of 700 jobs, in 2012. The blueprint covers homes, offices, leisure facilities and a light manufacturing facility.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Halo and The University of West of Scotland (UWS), the two parties will explore how research and development carried out by students can be commercialised with private sector companies. It is hoped the collaboration will provide opportunities for training and skills development, work placements, recruitment, apprenticeships and entrepreneurial mentoring and support.

Markie Macklin, director of The Halo, said: “A critical element in The Halo’s success will be the collaboration between the public, private and educational sectors in order that we meet the aspirations and needs of the people of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire and beyond.

“We are confident that, working together with UWS, we can create an Enterprise and Innovation Hub that will provide Ayrshire with a meaningful place in the fourth industrial revolution, the digital world. I look forward to working with UWS to develop our collective thinking in this vitally important aspect for the economy of the area.”

Professor Ehsan Mesbahi, vice principal academic at UWS, said: “We are excited by the opportunity to be closely involved in creating an Enterprise and Innovation Hub.

“This would provide intensive, varied and practical learning opportunities for our students.”

Diageo gifted 23 acres of land, and pledged £2 million, to aid The Halo project last year.