Science and high-tech businesses have been moving to the Bristol & Bath Science Park much faster than predicted, with three quarters of the available desks snapped up in less than six months.
Fourteen businesses and organisations, ranging from research-led early stage companies to businesses offering sector-specific support, are now occupying 78 of the 103 ground-floor desks in the Innovation Centre, the first building on the park. Plans are now being finalised to fit out the top floor.
Among the occupants are Science City Bristol, life sciences company Apitope, scientific consultancy Formumetrics, patent law specialists BPE Solicitors, and fund manager YFM Equity Partners.
Companies are being attracted by the high-quality facilities with the space they need to grow on flexible terms and the opportunities for networking and collaboration with like-minded businesses, according to park chief executive Bonnie Dean.
As well as serviced office space, high bandwidth, excellent communications and conference facilities, occupants have the use of The Forum, a striking glass-fronted communal area available for networking and food and refreshments, which is also open to the public.
“We are very encouraged by the rapid take-up of space and by the collaborative community that is developing between the companies,” said Ms Dean.
“We opened in very tough economic conditions but already revenue is twice what was predicted for this stage.
“Our first tenants represent exactly the mix we are working to achieve, balancing scientific research and academia with professional services and investment opportunities. We are receiving enquiries for a range of larger offices and mixed workspace which we are evaluating for fit-out on the remaining floor in the Innovation Centre.”
Later this month, ministers from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will host the national Manufacturing Summit at the Science Park, demonstrating its growing reputation as a centre of excellence. The facility has also been shortlisted for two prestigious BCO (British Council of Offices) Awards.
An initial survey of tenants has shown a unanimously positive response in terms of the environment, facilities and networking opportunities. Formumetrics, a scientific consultancy in the process of designing a lab at the park, is already operating from the Innovation Centre, which Keith Bean, managing director, says is proving a great success:
“We recognise the value for a small company of being in an innovative environment,” he said. “The building has definitely exceeded our expectations, being light and airy, with a great atmosphere. We have already been in contact with other small businesses that we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to collaborate with in the past.”
Jon Hoare, a partner at Clearwater IT Services LLP, which moved to the Science Park in September 2011 added:
“We knew it would be a high-profile development with green credentials but not to the extent that it actually is. It has a great feel and atmosphere with a strong sense of community. We have already experienced some networking opportunities and for us, it is really beneficial from a business point of view to use the communal space.”
The 59-acre park at Emersons Green, between Bath and Bristol, will act as a hub for the area’s many science and technology businesses – connecting entrepreneurs, fledgling businesses and established brands with vital investors, academia and design.
It will provide a professional and supportive environment for collaboration between universities and businesses to enable them to accelerate the commercialisation of new and applied technologies. The universities of Bath, Bristol and West of England are key stakeholders in the science park.
The first phase is comprised of three buildings – The Innovation Centre for early stage businesses, the Grow-On Centre, for more mature businesses and the Forum. The Innovation Centre and Grow-On Centre buildings will each have 25,000 sq ft over two floors. Accommodation includes offices – small and large – semi-industrial workspace, laboratories and conference facilities. The 11,000 sq ft Forum is designed to be the social and meeting space for both the first buildings and the park itself.
