Modern lab and office space helps enhance Colworth’s collaborative culture
10 January 2011
Organisations are facing a new world of heightened competition and a renewed emphasis on innovation. A fierce contest set in a truly global context, the economy will be led by those who innovate - creating, finding and turning knowledge into new products and services, faster than their competitors.
Innovation has long been applauded in companies and is vital to business success. One location in the UK where innovation is thriving is Colworth Science Park in Bedfordshire. 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, which is a joint venture between Unilever and global property group Goodman, has been so successful that a new development known as The Exchange will breathe even more life into this collaborative environment.
The Exchange will feature an Innovation Centre that will provide fully serviced laboratory space and office suites with the flexibility to accommodate large or small occupiers on ‘easy in/ easy out’ leasing terms. A wide range of fit-out options are available from fully fitted wet and dry labs to office and write-up space. Companies can walk into brand new units ranging from 360 – 3,700 sq ft of laboratory space or 180 – 2,100 sq ft of office suites. Occupiers with large or small individual requirements can also be catered for with bespoke solutions.
Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, Director of Colworth Science Park, said: “We hope that the Innovation Centre in The Exchange will help to address a shortage of scientific lab space in the area. Occupying this new and state of the art workspace is an efficient and cost effective approach for many businesses, because one agreement and one payment covers a whole of host of inclusive services.”
Included in the price at The Exchange are a range of services including reception, security, cleaning, waste disposal (including clinical) as well as all business rates and utility costs with the added benefit of use of shared lab services including autoclave and glass washing equipment with shared kitchenette facilities, showers, break out area among many other benefits at no extra cost. Tailored business support is also provided by The Exchange’s dedicated Innovation Manager.
Dr Forsyth adds: “At Colworth Science Park we realise the advantages of locating within an environment that actively helps to foster innovation. Providing a supportive and nurturing culture not only attracts the right people and businesses, but equally enables them to interact and we hope The Exchange will play a pivotal role in this process.”
Occupiers in The Exchange will have direct access to new state-of-the-art meeting and conferencing facilities for up to 200 people and a café-restaurant. This means occupiers can take advantage of ‘pay as you go’ meeting space when they need it to avoid paying higher rent for in-house meeting rooms that are used infrequently.
Being the home to one of Unilever’s global research centres, Colworth Science Park features a range of comprehensive scientific support services which uniquely include microbiological services, measurement science, sensory science, prototype engineering and printing and graphics services.
Alongside the outstanding business and research facilities, the Park offers a number of amenities to occupiers including a nine hole golf course, tennis and squash courts, day nursery and a shop.