8th January 2008 - Article by Nottingham Evening Post

The bio science park in Nottingham is looking at building on Eastside, the 36-acre site between London Road and Sneinton. BioCity says its first purpose-built development, which would accommodate 400 people, is a response to growing demand for space from its expanding companies.

It has ordered a feasibility study in to the scheme, which is three to four years from fruition. Manchester architects Fairhursts are drawing up plans for a 100,000 sq ft development. Work could start in two years on the BioCity building, which would be one of the first at Eastside. BioCity chief executive Glenn Crocker said the building would also attract potential inward investors to Nottingham. Funding for the project has yet to be raised. Fairhursts have worked on similar schemes in Manchester. Dr Crocker said: "They are carrying out a feasibility study on taking a plot within Eastside, looking at how that can be developed for further growth space for bio science companies. "The building is expected to cost £10m-plus. "We will have the architects' feasibility study before Easter. "We have to raise the money - it will not be grant-funded and it has to work financially. "The project is in collaboration with Eastside City, the developers of the Eastside site, Nottingham Development Enterprise (NDE) and Nottingham Regeneration Ltd. "We are working broadly within one of the designs of Eastside City but whether it has a 'wow factor' will depend on the economics." Dr Crocker added: "We are looking at a mixture of office-based science businesses and laboratory businesses.

"It will substantially grow the reputation we have for bio-science businesses. "We are building on our existing platform." BioCity, based in Pennyfoot Street, Sneinton, was created out of the former BASF research laboratories originally created by Boots. BASF gave the labs to Nottingham Trent University to create BioCity jointly with the University of Nottingham. It has grown into a home for 50 businesses employing 350 people. Neil Horsley, chief executive of NDE, said it had "fronted" the feasibility study with cash aid from the Greater Nottingham Partnership. He said: "We went out to tender from architects. "This could help give a boost to Nottingham Eastside. "This is important to Nottingham's Science City reputation."