20 September 2006 - Article by Nottingham Evening Post

A study is under way to discover how Nottingham can boost and retain science and technology companies.
We will be asking about recruitment and skills needs. It is an information gathering study Adam Jeffrey As they grow they may have complex land requirements; it is thought many would prefer to be in clusters close to each other. So a study over the next six weeks, will be asking companies how they see themselves expanding - and where they might want to be located if they do. The initiative is being led by Nottingham Development Enterprise, a public-private body set up nearly 20 years ago as a catalyst for change in the city. It has been behind projects such as the tram network and a new-look Old Market Square. Nottingham was designated a Science City by the Government 18 months ago because of the strength of its sciences, helped by two universities and the British Geological Survey at Keyworth. The city is keen to build on this designation, which brings prestige even if there is no direct Government cash. Big inward investors to Nottingham are likely to prove few and far between but embryo businesses could become major employers in the future. NDE argues that Nottingham Science City presents a major opportunity to reposition the local economy to build a future, with greater emphasis on science and technology activities. NDE's major planning document, the Nottingham Development Strategy, says there is a need to develop a modern knowledge-based economy and Science City could be the main vehicle for achieving this. It says the regional economic performance can be boosted by making the most of its assets and become a centre outside the golden triangle of Oxford, Cambridge and London.
Neil Horsley, chief executive of NDE, said the aim was to build on the city's large universities and the rapidly growing technology businesses. He said some traditional sectors had declined but the city had many areas of world excellence. "BioCity Nottingham is a fabulous asset and it is now full of bio technology companies of world excellence," he said. "It demonstrates there is extremely fertile ground." The number of businesses at BioCity rose from 28 to 37 last year, including two spin-out companies from the University of Nottingham, Nanograph and Monica. Phase two of the complex, formerly research and development laboratories owned by BASF and previously part of Boots, will be opened next month allowing firms to grow. About 123,000 sq ft of accommodation for small businesses is provided in four buildings. The first phase is already full. Dr Glenn Crocker, chief executive of BioCity said it was vital to plan for the growth of companies so they could plan where to go when successful. He said: "We have a number of businesses who are beginning to get tight. We have our third phase of our development which is partly designed to redress this need. From there they can go to the science parks." Mr Horsley said Nottingham was developing a critical mass of young spin-out companies from the universities and bigger technology companies. "The Nottingham economy is well placed to respond to their needs," he added. NDE says employers in the city include highly innovative business such as Pharmaceutical Profiles, Orion Pharma, Molecular Profiles and ClinPhone as well as giants such as Boots, Experian and Rolls-Royce. Adam Jeffrey, of Long Eaton firm Chimera, is carrying out the survey. "One of the key issues for us is the belief that we don't have all the necessary information about business accommodation or sites that would be sufficient to support the growth of the science and technology sector," he said. "It is a perceived gap, although quite a bit is happening to develop potential sites. "But there isn't much information in terms of what local firms in the sector need. This survey is about finding out what their plans are for the next three years and beyond. "We are looking at what their accommodation needs will be, the quality and size, rental levels or price for buying." There may also be specific infrastructure and support requirements. Mr Jeffrey said: "We will ask about recruitment and skills needs. It is an information gathering study to help give the Science City partners a clear picture." The aim was to help science and technology companies grow on the right sites in Nottingham rather than move away, he added. One part of the study will determine a picture of companies' ownerships, where their head offices are, and where decisions are made. According to a study to back up the Science City designation and take it forward, there are about 30 spin-out companies from the universities, which have attracted £90m in research grants. There are 3,000 research projects and 250 patents pending. And about 20,000 jobs depend on Nottingham's high tech strengths. Nottingham's strong base includes health and sciences, nanotechnology, environmental technologies and engineering. Three sites are being prepared to help the sector - BioCity, University of Nottingham Innovation Park and Science and Technology Park.
There may be further opportunities on sites at Boots, Siemens, Rolls-Royce and the Queen's Medical Centre. Dr Ian Wilding, who founded Pharmaceutical Profiles, the University of Nottingham's most successful spin-out company, said he would have preferred to move the business to an extension of the Nottingham Science and Technology Park. It was both near the university and the Queen's Medical Centre which were important to its drug delivery research. But Dr Wilding said the science park was a brownfield site and expensive to develop and planners wanted a building with a grass roof - which he said was totally inappropriate for the company's needs. Instead, Pharmaceutical Profiles moved to Ruddington Business Park.