Unilever and Goodman Back Foundation of Science Enterprise Hub

Colworth Science Park in Bedfordshire, which is being developed by Unilever and global property group Goodman is set to become a leading science and enterprise hub which will attract academia, SME’s and other life
science companies together to drive technology transfer and support economic growth in the UK.

EEDA has provided £4.4million to enable Cranfield University and the University of Cambridge to establish a presence in a new amenities centre at the hub and additionally, an Innovation Centre endorsed by the
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), will provide a research facility for IFR Extra Ltd, part of the Institute for Food Research. The groups will be based alongside one of Unilever’s global research facilities and 16 SME companies, undertaking research, prototyping and product development. Business and conference facilities are also to be provided on site.

Goodman and Unilever, who formed a 50:50 joint venture to develop the 1,200 acre site, hope the Innovation Centre will help address a shortage of scientific lab space in the area with an ‘easy in/easy out’ leasing policy.
Construction work will begin on both buildings later this year, with completion expected at the end of 2010.

Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, Goodman’s Director of Science Parks said: “This vision has already attracted two world-class academic institutions to locate amongst leading scientists from global blue chip and start-up companies. The new facilities will form the foundation of Colworth as an enterprise hub and create a national centre of excellence in Health and Wellness. We hope that this will trigger further inward investment in Colworth and lead to new jobs for the Bedfordshire region.”

Paul May, Executive Director Innovation, at EEDA said: “EEDA’s support to create the Enterprise Hub at Colworth reinforces the region’s position as a world leader in life sciences and is a great example of how regional
interventions can stimulate projects of national significance with a global outreach. Colworth Science Park will create a unique environment that will provide local businesses with access to world class research and
development facilities and know how, helping to turn their ideas in to commercial success.”