THE £7m extension to a Hampshire business hub – which is expected to help create 300 jobs – is nearing completion.

A “topping out ceremony” was held at Fareham Innovation Centre at Daedalus, where borough mayor, Cllr Geoff Fazackarley, performed the ceremonial duty by hanging a door..

The extension will provide 3,400 square metres of new floor space, 33 new offices, five new workshops and new conference facilities.

Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Seán Woodward, said: “It’s great to see progress is being made on the extension to the Innovation Centre, adding to the excellent facilities already on offer.

"When it’s finished we anticipate around 300 highly skilled new job opportunities will be created, providing a boost to both Daedalus and the local economy.”

Jo Willett, managing director of Oxford Innovation, which operates the centre, said: “Fareham Innovation Centre has become a hub of excellence for marine, automotive, aerospace and engineering sectors, with a vibrant business community of 40-plus businesses using the fully-occupied 24 offices, 15 workshops and hired conference and meeting rooms.

“The new extension will further stimulate enterprise, creating inward investment, employment and strengthening local supply chains.”

Work on the extension is expected to be finished in the spring.