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Off to a Off to a flying start flying start [Bristol Evening Post (England)]
(Bristol Evening Post (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) BRISTOL'S new Science Park has already proved a huge success just a few months after it was officially opened. The Pounds 300 million development will eventually create hundreds of jobs and bring millions of investment into the city.
The first part of the park has opened for business and more companies than expected have moved into the centre.
A total of 14 businesses and organisations are now occupying 78 of the first 103 desks on the ground floor of the first building, the Innovation Centre.
Plans are now being finalised to fit out the top floor.
Tenants include Science City Bristol, life sciences company Apitope, scientific consultancy Formumetrics, patent law specialists BPE Solicitors LLP and fund manager YFM Equity Partners.
Bonnie Dean, chief executive at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, said: "We are very encouraged by the rapid take-up of space in the Innovation Centre and by the collaborative community that is developing between the companies. We opened in very tough economic conditions but already revenue is twice what was predicted for this stage.
"Our first tenants represent exactly the mix we are working to achieve, balancing scientific research and academia with professional services and investment opportunities. We are receiving enquiries for a range of larger offices and mixed workspace which we are evaluating for fit-out on the remaining floor in the Innovation Centre."
Later this month, Ministers from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will host the national Manufacturing Summit at the Science Park, demonstrating its growing reputation as a centre of excellence. Formumetrics is a scientific consultancy which is in the process of designing a lab at the Bristol & Bath Science Park.
Keith Bean, managing director, says it is proving a great success: "We recognise the value for a small company of being in an innovative environment. "The building has definitely exceeded our expectations, being light and airy, with a great atmosphere.
"We have already been in contact with other small businesses that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to collaborate with in the past."
Jon Hoare, a partner at Clearwater IT Services LLP, which moved to the Science Park in September last year, added: "We knew it would be a high profile development with green credentials but not to the extent that it actually is. It has a great feel and atmosphere with a strong sense of community. We have already experienced some networking opportunities and for us, it is really beneficial from a business point of view to use the communal space."
73. ? ...of the first 103 desks on the ground floor of the Innovation Centre are occupied
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