Colworth Science Park gears up for a busy 2011
13 December 2010
Progress at Colworth Science Park’s new development, The Exchange, is ahead of schedule in time for its completion in early 2011. The new 56,000 sq ft centre will comprise an Innovation Centre offering 35,000 sq ft of fully serviced laboratory and office suites, complemented by state of the art facilities for meetings and conferences. These amenities will be open to businesses based on the Park as well as external companies wishing to co-locate or simply use the meeting facilities.
In preparation for the opening of the development, Colworth Science Park has recently appointed an Exchange Manager, Gary Jones, who will oversee the facility. Gary brings with him a wealth of management experience in the hospitality and leisure industries, including a prestigious position at The Royal Society in Central London.
Commenting on The Exchange, Deputy Mayor of Bedford Cllr Royden said: “This project shows a commitment to the local area; it is a sign that Bedford is ‘open for business’ and is a credit to all involved.” EEDA has supported the development of The Exchange, enabling the Institute of Food Research Extra, Cranfield University and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Manufacturing (IfM) to establish a presence at Colworth Science Park. The academic groups will be based alongside one of Unilever’s global research centres and more than 17 small and medium sized enterprises in a variety of fields, all of which undertake cutting-edge research, prototyping and product development.
As part of the ongoing development of the campus, Colworth Science Park has appointed the award winning catering company BaxterStorey to deliver an exciting and healthy menu at the new café-bistro as well as providing an excellent range of high quality hospitality options for the meeting and conferencing facilities.
Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, Director of Science Parks at Goodman, said: “Colworth Science Park is unrivalled in its wealth of facilities; the Park provides the ideal location for research and development activity and news that the Exchange is nearing completion has created a real buzz on the campus. 2011 is set to be an exciting year at the Park and we look forward to showcasing the facilities to the Bedfordshire business community. ”
Set within 120 acres of natural parkland, Colworth Science Park provides a supportive open innovation environment where networking and collaboration are integral to the campus culture. The Park is a joint venture between global property group Goodman and Unilever, who are developing the park to offer premium business space in Bedfordshire. The philosophy behind the Park is to create a range of new specialist laboratory and research facilities within the ideal business environment, to meet the particular requirements of the R&D sector. The Park’s excellent transport links are integral to its success. Situated between Oxford and Cambridge, close to Bedford with a direct rail link to London, Colworth has good access to leading universities and internationally renowned science, research and high technology industries.
Alongside the outstanding business and research facilities, Colworth Science Park offers a number of services to the occupiers on the park which include; the use of the nine hole golf course, tennis and squash courts, day nursery and café-restaurant.