EEDA - East of England Development Agency

EEDA funding supports foundation of regional enterprise hub at Colworth Science Park

14 October 2009

Colworth Science Park, Bedfordshire, is being developed by Unilever and Goodman to become a regional enterprise hub. Bringing together academia, SMEs and life science companies to drive technology transfer and support economic growth in the region.

EEDA has supported this project with £4.4m to enable Cranfield University and the University of Cambridge to establish a presence at Colworth Science Park in a new amenities centre. This will be complemented by the establishment of a scientific presence in an Innovation Centre endorsed by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) that will provide a research facility for IFR Extra Ltd, part of the Institute for Food Research.

The 21,000 sq ft amenities centre will allow Cranfield University and the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) to establish a presence at Colworth Science Park, alongside one of Unilever’s global research facilities and 16 SME companies, which undertake cutting-edge research, prototyping and product development. In addition to providing accommodation for the business schools, the amenities centre will incorporate a café and restaurant, and state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities capable of hosting up to 200 people.

The 35,000 sq ft Innovation Centre, will offer flexible laboratory and office suites designed to accommodate the IFR Extra Ltd, growing businesses and academics in a collaborative environment. Goodman and Unilever, who formed a 50:50 joint venture to develop the 1,200 acre site, hope the Innovation Centre will help address a shortage of scientific lab space in the area with an ‘easy in/ easy out’ leasing policy, in addition to supporting the growth of knowledge firms in the food, health and wellness sector. Construction work will begin on both buildings later this year, with completion expected at the end of 2010.

Commenting on the announcement Dr. Sally Ann Forsyth, Goodman’s Director of Science Parks said: “Our vision is to develop Colworth as an open innovation science park, which will draw academia, large corporates and SMEs together to engage in knowledge transfer and accelerate the commercialisation of R&D.”

She continued: “This vision has already attracted two world-class academic institutions to locate amongst leading scientists from global blue-chip and start-up companies. The new facilities will form the foundation of Colworth as an enterprise hub and create a national centre of excellence in food, health and wellness. We hope that this will trigger further inward investment in Colworth and lead to new jobs for the Bedfordshire region.”

Paul May, Executive Director Innovation, at EEDA said: “EEDA’s support to create the Enterprise Hub at Colworth reinforces the region’s position as a world leader in life sciences and is a great example of how regional interventions can stimulate projects of national significance with a global outreach.

“Colworth Science Park will create a unique environment that will provide local businesses with access to world class research and development facilities and know-how, helping to turn their ideas into commercial success.” 

Dedicated office suites in the amenities centre will provide a base from where the Cranfield and Cambridge universities will be able to work with a range of companies on site.

Dr Tim Minshall, Senior Lecturer in Technology Management at Cambridge University’s IfM, said: “A key element of successful open innovation is the bringing together and interaction of entrepreneurs, managers and investors. Colworth Science Park is an excellent example of how such a location can be designed to support such interactions.”

Dr Reg Wilson, Head of Science Operations and Managing Director of IFR Extra Ltd said: “The development at Colworth allows us to establish an additional site outside of our base in Norwich, in a location that is recognised for its high quality research in food, health and well-being industries. The Innovation Centre will enable us to foster relationships with SMEs and commercial companies that have world leading expertise in these areas, enhancing our vital links to the industry.”

Colworth Science Park is situated between Cambridge and Oxford in the village of Sharnbrook, near Bedford. It sits in 1,200 acres of natural parkland providing an outstanding research environment. Occupiers have access to a wide range of scientific and accommodation services, including 24 hour manned security on-site printing and graphics services, plus IT support to ensure occupiers are able to communicate with maximum efficiency.

In addition, Colworth Science Park has a wealth of leisure and sports facilities on site, including tennis and squash courts, football and cricket pitches and a 9-hole golf course. There is also a convenience store, café and restaurant, and Bright Horizons day nursery, providing secure professional childcare.

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