How do we create a successful life science ecosystem at Alderley Park?

NEW occupiers and major investment in scientific facilities will drive the growth agenda for the Alderley Park life sciences campus.

Managing director Dr Chris Doherty told a meeting of science company executives and the Cheshire & Warrington LEP that a number of significant lettings are in the pipeline and also pledged that the operator would ensure there was the right mix of occupiers at the 400-acre site in Cheshire.

Dr Doherty, said the 400-acre Alderley Park site is in an exciting period of transition under the ownership of Manchester Science Partnerships.
“We have just announced the first sale of land for residential development on the site, to PH Homes, and that gives us capital to reinvest in our scientific facilities.”

He said the long term goal is for Alderley Park is the same as it was when the then Chancellor George Osborne set up a taskforce in 2013 after former site owner AstraZeneca said it would be relocating the bulk of its operations to Cambridge.

“We are making progress in our strategy to be a nationally significant life sciences campus employing more than 7,000 people. Our pipeline for lettings is strong. Within a year we will possibly be bringing 1,000 people to the site,” he revealed.

At the event some of the businesses already based at Alderley Park asked the Local Enterprise Partnership to look at several issues which they felt would help them attract and retain staff.

Among this was more affordable housing in Cheshire and improving ‘last mile’ transport connections to Alderley Park.

Philip Cox, chief executive of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, said Alderley Park is of “high strategic importance”, given its scale and Enterprise Zone status within the Cheshire Science Corridor – which includes facilities at Daresbury Park, Birchwood and Thornton Science Park near Chester.

He said the LEP is refreshing its Strategic Economic Plan with a view to creating a £50bn economy by 2040, and would also look to align with the new government’s planned industrial strategy.

“We want to know how, and where we can support businesses to help unlock potential. In science we are about to appoint a director for the Science Corridor, which is important, but we also want to know what other practical things we can do- is public transport access good enough? We know there has to be a sense of place too.”

The businesses based at Alderley Park agreed the campus has many positive features including critical mass and the opportunity to collaborate.

Chief among these was access to talent, with many agreeing that it can be a challenge to recruit young professionals to the location.

Anthony Baxter from Cyprotex said: “The majority of the people we need will have just graduated or completed phDs. They are often loaded with debt and may not have a car. Add to this that Cheshire is perceived to be green, leafy and wealthy.

“We have all but exhausted the supply of former AstraZeneca people who didn’t want to move to Cambridge, so we are having to train up people rather than hire.”

He said 25% of all Cyprotex’s 103 UK staff were previously with AstraZeneca.

Elizabeth Thomas from Alderley Analytical said there was no shortage of applicants for roles with her business, but the local area has to offer more: “I feel there is a shortage of attractive places to live and go out. In Macclesfield for example, so many of the shops have closed,” she said.

Dr Doherty said: “We recognise the need to create a community – a place, – so we have a farm shop, gastro-pub and hotel planned for this site. Also, with affordability in mind, we have ear-marked 21 residential units for scientists earning less than £35,000 a year.”

John Willis, from the Skills & Growth Company, part of Cheshire East Council, said the local authority is keen to work with businesses and is “mindful” of the issues around housing and transport.

He revealed the council is talking to a transport company about providing a more regular shuttle service between Alderley Park and Alderley Edge Station.

He added: “There are other thing we could address too – like possibly expanding our cycle routes here, or putting together some marketing materials for businesses to use to help convince potential recruits from outside the area to relocate here.

“The council is also putting in a significant amount of money in to Macclesfield to create an improved destination there. The challenge around housing is more complex and we have an ongoing dialogue with developers to ensure that there is a component of affordable housing in every project.”

There was consensus that Alderley Park would benefit from closer links with the region’s major research-focused teaching hospitals.

Dr Baxter said: “If this site is going to be a success, we need access to clinical expertise at world-class hospitals.”

Dr Doherty said that as Alderley Park is part of Manchester Science Partnerships, whose shareholders include Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT), there is already a link, but added: “The Christie is high on my list.”
 
Dr Pete Jackson and Bionow founder Geoff Davison said the North West has considerable cost advantages for life science businesses over Cambridge and London, but said more could be done to raise awareness of this, and the other assets in the region.

Dr Davison said: “This isn’t something for one company to do, but the whole sector. We should take a trade mission to London to raise our profile with investors in the City.”

Cox said the LEP would be willing to support such an initiative: “We can help address a lack of understanding by financial markets, what’s less likely is the LEP being able to put together a £500m fund on its own to address this market failure.”

Roundtable discussion attended by:

Dr Chris Doherty, managing director, Alderley Park

Philip Cox, chief executive, Cheshire and Warrington LEP

Elizabeth Thomas, chief executive, Alderley Analytical

Dr Anthony Baxter, chief executive, Cyprotex

Dr John Ridden, chief executive, Blueberry Therapeutics

Dr Geoff Davison, chief executive, Bionow

Dr Pete Jackson, Chair of AMR Centre steering committee

John Willis, inward investment & business engagement manager, Skills and Growth Company