We need more science parks says Ridge and Partners

Over the next three years, the UK’s science and tech industries are predicted to grow by more than 50 per cent, but it’s operating in a fragile ecosystem, according to Oxfordbased property consultancy Ridge and Partners.

Late last year the consultancy questioned senior decision-makers from more than 100 of the UK’s most ambitious and fast-growing science and technology businesses for an in-depth study.

Despite this forecasted growth, many UK technology and science businesses have their sights set abroad. One in six plan to move, 88 per cent have considered it, and of our largest organisations, 75 per cent are not ruling it out.

This potential exodus is not a whimsical desire for greener pastures, says the study, it’s a response to a lack of necessary resources and infrastructure.

Building issues are one of the biggest challenges for the science and tech industries. Almost half of the businesses which responded are worried their premises will not meet long-term needs, and onefifth feel their premises need to be more environmentally sustainable and aesthetically attractive.

The study reveals that the UK needs fitfor-purpose facilities – only 51 per cent of businesses believe their current building will accommodate future needs. Just 22 per cent of smaller companies believe this to be true.

Companies also want facilities where they’re needed – 31 per cent of businesses say it’s essential to be nearer to a larger talent pool. These facilities need to be built where people prefer to live. Proximity to major academic institutions is also a must.

Modern, unique designs, better public transport access and more science parks are also called for.

The science and tech community rely on collaboration to thrive. Thirty-one per cent want to be nearer to others in the sector. The industry prefers science parks for their proximity to other similar businesses and the facilities geared to their industries.

Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park to build renewable energy training centre

South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College along with Stroud District Council secured £450,000 from the Gloucestershire Strategic Economic Development Fund late last year to create the Berkeley Low Carbon Training Centre – a renewable energy and retrofit training centre at the college’s Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park, Berkeley.

Using the former Berkeley research laboratories, the investment will convert redundant buildings into training rooms with training rigs, classrooms and workshops to teach the skills needed to support the country’s challenge in meeting its net-zero carbon emission target. The investment also includes a digital training studio to provide blended learning programmes to the sector.

Berkeley has historically been at the centre of the energy research establishment and this investment will create a regional training centre for the South West. This complements the existing low-carbon knowledge cluster on the science park, including the Active Building Centre and the SGS Berkeley University Technical College.