Liverpool Science Park News & Press

The construction of Liverpool Science Park (LSP)'s third building will commence on site next year following the announcement of a £7.6M funding package.

This will complete the development of LSP's Metropolitan cathedral site, at the heart of the two universities and Liverpool's knowledge quarter.

'Innovation Centre 3' will play a vital role in the long-term development of Liverpool's Commercial Knowledge Economy by providing 42,000 sq ft of much-needed R&D offices and laboratories to support, retain and expand the region's thriving life sciences and physical sciences sector.It will also offer purpose built starter pods for young knowledge based companies and state of the art open innovation space for all LSP tenants.

The Park's owners, Liverpool City Council, the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, will underwrite a £3.8M loan taken out by LSP towards the construction costs, with the balance of £3.8M being provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Chris Musson, chief executive of the award-winning Liverpool Science Park, said: "Confirmation of funding for ic3 is a key moment in Liverpool Science Park's evolution, and will provide world leading opportunities for our current tenants and for the region's commercial knowledge economy.  We would like to thank our partners for their continued support.

"From our experience, laboratory-based SMEs demand flexibility and our Containment Level Two laboratories and flexible leasing policy will enable the creation of a new and vibrant tenant mix to the Park. We are answering a need and sending a clear message nationally to science-based companies that Liverpool is a high quality destination for commercial knowledge enterprise.  Similarly, the new starter pods will make LSP the destination of choice for any young entrepreneurs wanting to mix with like minded companies and will set LSP apart as a place where knowledge based companies from any discipline can work and collaborate together.

"The project fits perfectly with the North West Competitiveness program to deliver on the Lisbon Agenda, further pushing the North West as the number one destination for innovation and high growth organisations. The investment for ic3 goes to further enhance the Park's attractive offering, which is built on providing a first class operating environment, business support and links to the region's specialist experts."

Sir Howard Newby, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool (UoL) and Chair of the Liverpool Science Park Board, said:"Liverpool Science Park was created as the special purpose vehicle to support and drive forward Liverpool's commercial knowledge economy and ic3 marks another exciting chapter in our long term plan. The laboratories in ic3, combined with the floor of laboratories to be built in ic2, will be a great asset to the city region and the perfect complement both to existing facilities in the city region and to the planned Bio Campus and BioInnovation Centre."

Prof Nigel Weatherill, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, added: "Harnessing local talent and attracting inward investment is key to future growth and building a pipeline of high value jobs.This new building will enable us to unlock the commercial potential of the city's world-class company and research base, and will allow LSP's proximity to the Design Academy and to LJMU's new Business and Law facility to be fully exploited."
Liverpool City Council cabinet member for employment and skills Cllr Nick Small, who sits on the Liverpool Science Park board, added: "We want Liverpool to be the first choice for knowledge-based organisations. This investment goes to further enhance the Park's attractive offering, which is built on providing a first class operating environment, business support and links to the region's specialist experts."

Alan Welby, Director of Knowledge Economy at the Mersey Partnership, added: "The creation of ic3 is a significant building block in establishing the Liverpool City Region as globally competitive centre for innovation and the knowledge economy. The world class facilities will add a further dimension as we grow our economy and brings increased scale and opportunity."
Detailed planning permission was granted for the four-storey building in October 2010.

Ic3 will be built on a 0.55 hectare site over the existing car park of Innovation Centre 1 (ic1), off Mount Pleasant, to the south west of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. It will feature flexible office space, fully serviced laboratories over three floors, meeting rooms, under-croft car parking, and secure cycle storage.
The high-quality design of the building, with floor to ceiling glazing to maximise natural light, mirrors the limestone and slate features of ic1 and complements the surrounding buildings within the Mount Pleasant Conservation Area.
A double-storey bridge will link ic3 to the existing ic1 building, with visitors being directed to ic3 via the current main entrance of ic1.
Construction is expected to commence in late Spring 2012 and open in Summer 2013.

For more information about Liverpool Science Park visit www.liverpoolsciencepark.co.uk