-
Life Sciences Innovation Zone
funding earmarked for
new high-spec building at Sci-Tech Daresbury
-
Mix of high-grade office and innovation
space
-
Part of Project Violet Phase 2 that will
create around 250 jobs over two new
buildings
-
Building on success of Project Violet Phase
1, completed in 2022
-
Additional £900,000 Innovation
Zone funding for Health and Life
Sciences ‘Proof of Concept' Fund
-
Mayor :
‘Sci-Tech Daresbury is one of the jewels in
our region's innovation crown'
Around 100 high-skilled jobs would be created at
Sci-Tech Daresbury under expansion plans to be considered by
the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Up to £7.5m of Life Sciences Innovation Zone
funding is being
sought to support construction of a new
building containing high-grade office
and innovation space.
The building is one of two set to be constructed
as part of Project Violet Phase 2 - which builds on the
success of Phase 1, completed in 2022 and which
is now fully occupied.
Innovation Zone funding has already been
granted for a 60,000 sq.ft laboratory-enabled building under Phase
2 which will accommodate around 150 high-skilled
jobs.
The second building will contain nearly
23,000 sq.ft of office and innovation
space to support the
needs of high-value science and technology
businesses. The project is seen as a vital step to boosting
the city region's thriving life sciences sector.
If funding is approved, construction of both
buildings is expected to start next summer.
Liverpool City Region Mayor said:
“There's a reason we're shortlisted to be next
year's European Capital
of Innovation - it's the golden thread that
runs through everything we do.
“Sci-Tech Daresbury is one of the jewels in our region's
innovation crown. It's a place where world-leading
research and cutting-edge businesses are helping to
power our economy and put the Liverpool City Region on the global
map for science and technology.
“That's why we're continuing to invest to create hundreds of
high-quality jobs, attract new businesses and build the kind of
thriving, forward-looking economy that gives local people the
chance to succeed.”
Phase 1 delivered 43,000 sq.ft of Grade A office space
across three buildings - with full occupancy achieved
through a mixture of existing tenants scaling up, new
arrivals to the site and international
firms establishing a UK base.
Australian firm Blackmagic Design and China's Geek+ chose the
development for their EMEA and UK headquarters respectively,
with both companies attracted by the unique environment
for innovation and business growth within Sci-Tech Daresbury and
the wider Liverpool City Region.
Phase 2 would create around 250 well-paid
jobs across the two buildings and is expected to
attract both existing and new tenants to the north of England's
only national science and innovation campus.
The Combined Authority will consider whether
to delegate powers to approve funding for
the new building following receipt
of a full business case.
The Combined Authority will also consider backing a
£900,000 Health and Life Sciences Proof of Concept
Fund as part of the Life Sciences Innovation Zone.
The funding would go towards a 3-year, £1.15m initiative
delivered by The Science and Technology Facilities Council, part
of UK Research and Innovation.
£270,000 a year would be delivered to up to six consortiums
to assist with demonstrating concepts, validating technologies and
accelerating research and development. The lead partner in
each consortium would be based in the Liverpool City
Region.
The fund would stimulate collaboration between businesses and
researchers and would support at least 12 and up to
20 consortiums over the three years.
The Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone
Programme (LCR Innovation Zone Programme) is part of the
Government's national Investment Zone Programme.
