Nottingham 5 February 2007

Less than four years after the opening of its first phase, BioCity Nottingham, the leading bioscience incubation centre, has announced that work will shortly be starting on its third phase of development.
The new facility, designed by Nottingham architects Maber Associates, will offer over 40,000 sq ft (approx. 4,000 sq m) of laboratory space to bioscience and pharmaceutical companies outgrowing phases 1 and 2 and to larger businesses wanting to set up anew at BioCity. It is expected to be available by the end of 2007 and will offer laboratory units of 8,000 to 16,000 sq ft (approx. 800 to 1,600 sq m).
The work involves the complete redesign and refurbishment of an existing laboratory building. A new feature entrance will also be added incorporating a circular core which will link all of the floors and create a stunning reception and waiting area for tenants and visitors. It will provide a strong focal point to the building and a symbol for the BioCity site. In addition, a substantial increase in the building’s thermal efficiency will be achieved through partial over-cladding and re-glazing.
Dr Glenn Crocker, Chief Executive of BioCity commented: “We have brought forward the development of phase 3 by over a year due to high demand resulting from the rapid growth of many of the companies at BioCity, so this development is a testament to their success.”
Paul East of Maber Associates said: “Externally, the existing green mosaic tiles will be retained, whilst a striking copper colored wall will be added to the entrance. The northern wall of the building will be clad in zinc and all of the windows will be replaced. All the external materials have been chosen for their excellent life cycle costs and natural recyclable properties and the unique design will make the building stand out and promote the new and innovative work going on within its walls.”
BioCity has been successful in obtaining a £4 million contribution towards the cost of the project from East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Mike Carr, Executive Director for Business Services at emda said: “BioCity is a great success for Nottingham and the East Midlands. It is an excellent example of how knowledge based entrepreneurial activities are being harnessed to contribute to our goal of becoming a flourishing region. We are pleased to support this next phase of the development which will enable more companies within the healthcare sector to exploit their ideas for new products and services and which, in turn, helps create more highly skilled jobs.”
The completion of phase 3 will bring the total amount of laboratory and office space at BioCity to over 120,000 sq ft (12,000 sq m). Phases 1 and 2 are currently at capacity.
PRESS RELEASE ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. BIOCITY NOTTINGHAM LTD
Press enquiries to: Dr Glenn Crocker, Chief Executive.
Tel: +44 (0)115 912 4210 Mobile: +44 (0)7867 506 802
Email: g.crocker@biocity.co.uk www.biocity.co.uk
BioCity Nottingham Ltd was formed in November 2002. The company develops and operates bioscience and healthcare related incubation and innovation facilities. The first such facility was opened in Nottingham in September 2003 and is currently home to 40 businesses with a further 7 in the Stewart Adams Building. BioCity was founded by Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham and East Midlands Development Agency. The site the company is developing in Nottingham was originally gifted to Nottingham Trent University by BASF plc
PHOTO AVAILABLE AS JPEG: “BioCity Nottingham- Phase 3 building”
2. MABER ASSOCIATES
For further information please contact Paul East, Maber Associates, 0115 941 5555.
Or Dianne Allen/ Emma Straw, Gemini PR & Marketing, 0115 852 3850.
Maber Associates is a leading East Midlands based firm of architects with offices in Nottingham and Derby offering professional services in architecture, planning, interior design, space planning, project management and landscape design. The practice has a wide portfolio of completed projects in the fields of commerce, leisure, sport, education, housing, industry and retail. Developments have involved both the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing structures.
3. About emda
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) was set up in 1999 to bring more jobs and skills to the region and to make the East Midlands a better place to live and work.
The new Regional Economic Strategy - ‘A Flourishing Region’, co-ordinated by emda and launched in July 2006, sets out priorities for the region until 2020. Its publication follows the most comprehensive consultation ever undertaken in the East Midlands where more than 1,400 stakeholders and partners, and thousands of members of the public had their say on the future of the region. The RES highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and is underpinned by ten priorities. The new RES builds on the previous two strategies ‘Prosperity Through People’ and ‘Destination 2010’. For more details visit www.emda.org.uk