Northern SciTech Hub begins to take Shape

Following Manchester City Council approval, a £21 million redevelopment of the Base building at Manchester Science Park is now progressing. The new science and technology hub will offer workspace for companies in high growth frontier sectors of Industry 4.0, low carbon, computer and energy technology, gaming and animation, building on the region’s internationally-recognised tech and manufacturing cluster. 

The five storey 91,000sqft will provide office space and lab capability, a dedicated workshop space for prototyping new or modifying existing products, break-out spaces, meeting rooms and will also be home to new Manchester Innovation Activities Hub (MIAH).

The MIAH will be delivered by Circle Square-based The Blair Project and will provide a community innovation activities hub and vocational training centre dedicated to the rapid upskilling, reskilling and retraining of more than 5,000 local residents over the next 5 years. Focusing on the specialist technical skills associated with low carbon technologies and innovation, the MIAH will contribute to the growth of the city’s knowledge economy, helping to support the creation of over 1,000 high value jobs. 

Planning permission for the project was granted earlier this year and recently received £4m via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority as part of the Government’s Getting Building Fund to support the region’s economic recovery from the pandemic. A further £15.5m loan will be provided by the North West Evergreen Fund, managed by CBRE’s Investment Advisory team, part of CBRE Capital Advisors. 

Caddick has been appointed as the main contractor and will employ all directly-appointed staff and 90% of subcontractors from within a 10 mile radius of Base, including 21 apprentices.

Tom Renn, Managing Director, Bruntwood SciTech - Manchester, said: “Base will provide vital new infrastructure for some of the UK’s most innovative businesses at the cutting-edge of industry. We’ve got a rich and deep understanding of the facilities, services and connections science and technology businesses need to form, scale and grow and a strong track record of making this happen through our unrivalled clinical, academic partner network.

“We’re looking forward to working with Caddick. Their commitment to the local supply chain and developing future industry talent via their apprenticeship programme, together with supporting local employment and developing the next generation of talent is more important now than ever.”