Member Article

Sci-Tech Daresbury flagship reaches 50% occupancy

The first development at Sci-Tech Daresbury Enterprise Zone has reached 50% occupancy, with 11 new tenant firms since it opened in 2011.

Sci-Tech is a centre for high-tech and science businesses in Cheshire, with support for innovation and growth through knowledge sharing and networking.

Vanguard House has attracted high-growth businesses already housed at the Sci-Tech campus, as well as companies from elsewhere who have moved to the centre.

A total number of 130 employees are now based at Vanguard House, including staff at Applied Engineering and Computing, Enhanced Hydrocarbon Technologies, Urban IT and Ensafe Consultants.

One business who relocated from the Sci-Tech Daresbury campus was pharmaceutical firm, Proveca, who has raised a £2.6m investment to develop new drugs for children with chronic medical conditions.

John Leake, business development manager at Sci-Tech Daresbury, said: “Businesses based on campus are enjoying a successful start to the year and it’s been exciting to witness the high levels of growth and innovation which are continuing to emerge from campus companies.

“The high calibre of companies relocating to the site’s flagship Enterprise Zone development,Vanguard House, is inspiring and we’re witnessing significant interest from both international and national firms keen to relocate to Sci-Tech Daresbury.

“However, it’s especially encouraging for us to see campus companies expanding and moving to new premises on campus due to the levels of growth and success which they have experienced.

“This is testament to the success of the innovative, collaborative working environment at the campus, which allows companies to thrive and grow.”

Collaboration between businesses is another benefit of the enterprise zone, which has been enjoyed by concrete assessment firm, Sci-Corr and product designers 4D Products.

They worked together on a product that can detect corrosion in bridges and multi-storey car parks, which can be used by building industry surveyors.

James Bell, product design director at 4D Products, said: “We’ve enjoyed significant growth since locating to Sci-Tech Daresbury and our company continues to go from strength to strength.

“The campus offers unrivalled opportunities for collaboration, and in addition to our clients in the wider market; we have worked alongside a number of campus companies to develop and design their products.”

Sci-Tech was awarded Enterprise Zone status in April last year to potentially create 15,000 skilled jobs and leverage over £150m in private sector investment.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .