Facilities
Shared laboratories, workshops and workspace that let businesses test new ideas before they commit to them.
How the facilities support innovation
Nottingham Trent University, the University of Derby and the University of Nottingham give businesses access to research equipment, workshop space and test environments. These facilities form part of the services to support innovation that the three universities deliver together, backed by EU funding.
Use of the facilities is shaped around each project. A business may book equipment for a short trial, or work alongside university staff over several months while a prototype takes shape.
Booking and shared use
Equipment and workspace are offered on a shared basis, so smaller firms can use specialist kit without buying it outright. Each booking is agreed in advance, with clear terms for time, training and safe operation.
Where a project needs sustained access, a longer agreement can be set up. This allows a team to plan testing across several stages rather than fitting work into short gaps.
Spaces across the partnership
Each university hosts a different mix of workshops, prototyping areas and quiet rooms for meetings. Businesses can use these spaces for hands-on development, testing with users, or confidential discussions about intellectual property.
What businesses can expect
- A first conversation to understand the problem a business is trying to solve
- Induction and safety training before any equipment is used
- Named university contacts who coordinate access across sites
- Records of testing that can support later funding applications
Access depends on the type of work and on available capacity, so early contact helps plan dates.