All available offices at the Bristol & Bath Science Park have been let just eight months after it opened.
The ground floor of the Innovation Centre, the park’s main building, has filled up twice as quickly as anticipated by developer Quantum Property Partnership, while an area set aside for hot desking has been converted temporarily into offices for a new tenant while the first floor is being fitted out.
Likely to be ready in the autumn, this floor will add a further 23 offices with 141 desks for science and hi-tech businesses.
Demand is also high for space in the 25,000 sq ft Grow On Centre, which offers flexible office and research space to suit the needs of larger science and research-led businesses as they expand and mature as businesses.
The Innovation Centre is now home to 18 businesses, including Science City Bristol, life sciences company Apitope, scientific consultancy Formumetrics, intellectual property specialists BPE Solicitors, and fund manager YFM Equity Partners.
Companies are attracted by the high-quality facilities on flexible terms, vibrant common areas, opportunities for networking and collaboration with like-minded businesses and access to the research capability of the three universities – Bristol, UWE and Bath.
One of the latest arrivals is aerospace consultancy AACE, which has relocated from Oxford.
Managing director Paul Mayo said: “We spent several months evaluating possible sites in the Bristol area, where much of our work is based, and the Science Park stood out as by far the best option. It’s a modern, exciting environment in a great location and there’s a genuine buzz and vibe about the place.
“It’s partly about the people you meet and the conversations you have, but it’s also the atmosphere and being able to walk out of the office to grab a coffee or great food in a really attractive setting.
“It’s not often in my career that I’ve been motivated to go to work by a building but this place makes you want to go into the office. We’re also really keen to bring clients here so that instead of meeting in hotels and restaurants we’re inviting them here because it’s a place we’re really proud of and want to show off.”
Park chief executive Bonnie Dean added: “Such rapid take up shows that even in tough economic conditions, there is demand in these sectors for the right offer. We spent a lot of time in the initial planning stages understanding what science and technology businesses want as they develop and expand. A real sense of community is already beginning to emerge on the park which is set to grow as more businesses are attracted to the unique work environment we offer.”
She said discussions where already under way with a number of high-profile businesses about taking space in the Grow-On Centre.
Science Park tenants also 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.
The park was last week named as the region’s best commercial workplace in the prestigious British Council of Offices Awards.
