Property round-up: Business booming on science parks; Stone Cross not a hard place for Rock
TECHNOLOGY firm Instinctive Creations, insurance broker CBG and internet systems provider Commsport are three of the 18 new arrivals to have set up shop at Liverpool Science Park since the start of the year.
Other new tenants include venture capital firm Spark Impact – manager of the £25m biomedical portion of The North West Fund – PR and marketing agency Active Profile and market development company Lead Creators.
Liverpool Science Park’s CEO Chris Musson said: “Liverpool Science Park was created as a vehicle to nurture and support the city region’s commercial knowledge economy and to attract businesses into the city, and we are delighted to welcome this flurry of new companies into our community.
The new companies bring the total number of organisations based within the park’s two innovation centres to 57.
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DARESCURY Science and Innovation Campus has signed up nine new tenants.
Web-based software provider Terrabase, cloud computing services provider OCF, Centum Electronics, Flintloque Management Systems, Tomorrow’s Medicines, Hue Touch, Natural Energy Resources, UbooGo Systems and I-Group have all taken space at the park.
DSIC’s business development manager John Leake said: “The sheer breadth and quality of new businesses arriving at Daresbury this year gives us enormous confidence in our efforts to attract the cream of cutting-edge enterprise from the UK and beyond.
“The main draw for new hi-tech firms arriving at Daresbury is our focus on innovation, the creation of a highly collaborative business environment and the flexibility offered by our world-class facilities.
“As we prepare for further expansion with the imminent opening of our new grown-on building, Vanguard House, we will look forward to further expansion of the Daresbury high-tech community.”
DSIC is a joint venture between Langtree, Science and Technology Facilities Council, North West Regional Development Agency and Halton Borough Council.
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MAPLE Grove Developments has let a 3,375 sq ft unit at its Stone Cross Court office development in Golbourne, near Wigan.
The Preston-based company has let the unit to Rock Networks – a firm providing IT, telecoms and mobile phone services which has recently received investment from the North West Fund.
Rock Networks has taken a five-year lease at a rent of £40,500 per annum.
Stewart DeRoma, managing director of Rock Networks, said: “Owing to its strategic location, Stone Cross Park is in an ideal spot for us to access all of our markets and customers with ease, and as we grow also attract the right calibre of staff. We expect to do very well here.”
Stone Cross Court is the latest phase of the well known, mixed use business park known as Stone Cross Park. The 27,250 sq.ft development has self-contained offices ranging from 3,304 – 11,710 sq ft or suites from 1,685 sq.ft.
The development, which fronts the A580 East Lancs Road, was completed in September 2008.
Maple Grove Developments was advised on the letting by Manchester-based p3 Property Consultants.
Partner Phil Makin said: “Everyone knows we are in a difficult market. However, if you look hard enough deals are out there to be done. Rock is the fourth new occupier in quick succession and takes us well past the half way mark.”
