Demand for space at the Bristol & Bath Science Park has been so strong that all of the first available offices have already been let, just eight months after opening.
The ground floor of the Innovation Centre has filled up twice as quickly as initially anticipated by the developer Quantum Property Partnership. An area initially set aside for hot desking has had to be converted temporarily into offices for a new tenant, whilst the first floor is being fitted out. Set to be ready in the autumn, this will offer a further 23 offices with 141 desks for science and high 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 news comes as the Park is celebrating being chosen as the ‘Best Commercial Workplace’ in the region, in the prestigious British Council of Offices Awards last week.
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 LLP, and fund manager YFM Equity Partners.
Companies are being attracted by the high quality facilities with the space they need to grow on flexible terms, the vibrant common areas, opportunities for networking and collaboration with like-minded businesses and access to the research capability of the three Universities.
One of the latest arrivals is aerospace consultancy AACE, which until now has been based in Oxford.
Paul Mayo, managing director at AACE says: “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.”
Bonnie Dean, chief executive at the Bristol & Bath Science Park said: “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.
“We’ve started fitting out the first floor of the Innovation Centre and are in discussions with a number of high profile businesses about taking space in the Grow-On Centre, which has been designed specifically for science-based businesses and former start-ups as they scale up.”
As well as serviced office space, high bandwidth, excellent communications and conference facilities, Science Park tenants 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.
