Coventry University’s new Enterprise Centre has made a prestigious catch by signing up electronics giant Marconi to the new building.

Special permission has been given by the government for Marconi to take two of the three floors at the new facilities in Puma Way.

The building was built with an European grant to give state-of-the-art facilities to small and medium enterprises in the city.

Marconi have now signed a lease and could prove a magnet to other firms.

The £3 million development received over £1 million worth of grant funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

It carries ISDN and ADSL connections, 24-hour security and energy efficient offices and will provide dedicated accommodation for small-to-medium-sized businesses.

Marconi have joined the first occupant, D4i Ltd (Design for Innovation), a computer aided design company.

John Latham, MD of Coventry University Enterprises (CUE) Ltd said:

"The opening of the Enterprise Centre is a further milestone for Coventry University and CUE Ltd.

"It promises to be a hub of activity and will provide a state-of-the-art environment for its tenants.

"It will also provide employment for the city as well as a landmark in the region’s regeneration."