£7.5m funding to expand facilities at Sci-Tech Daresbury and create 100 skilled jobs

Around 100 high-skilled jobs would be created at Sci-Tech Daresbury under expansion plans to be considered by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Up to £7.5m of Life Sciences Innovation Zone funding is being sought to support construction of a new building containing high-grade office and innovation space.

The building is one of two set to be constructed as part of Project Violet Phase 2 – which builds on the success of Phase 1, completed in 2022 and which is now fully occupied.

Innovation Zone funding has already been  granted for a 60,000 sqft laboratory-enabled building under Phase 2 which will accommodate around 150 high-skilled jobs.

The second building will contain nearly 23,000 sqft of office and innovation space to support the needs of high-value science and technology businesses. The project is seen as a vital step to boosting the city region’s thriving life sciences sector.

If funding is approved, construction of both buildings is expected to start next summer.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

“There’s a reason we’re shortlisted to be next year’s European Capital of Innovation – it’s the golden thread that runs through everything we do. 

“Sci-Tech Daresbury is one of the jewels in our region’s innovation crown. It’s a place where world-leading research and cutting-edge businesses are helping to power our economy and put the Liverpool City Region on the global map for science and technology.

“That’s why we’re continuing to invest to create hundreds of high-quality jobs, attract new businesses and build the kind of thriving, forward-looking economy that gives local people the chance to succeed.”

Phase 1 delivered 43,000 sqft of Grade A office space across three buildings – with full occupancy achieved through a mixture of existing tenants scaling up, new arrivals to the site and international firms establishing a UK base.

Australian firm Blackmagic Design and China’s Geek+ chose the development for their EMEA and UK headquarters respectively, with both companies attracted by the unique environment for innovation and business growth within Sci-Tech Daresbury and the wider Liverpool City Region.

Phase 2 would create around 250 well-paid jobs across the two buildings and is expected to attract both existing and new tenants to the north of England’s only national science and innovation campus.

The Combined Authority will consider whether to delegate powers to approve funding for the new building following receipt of a full business case.

The Combined Authority will also consider backing a £900,000 Health and Life Sciences Proof of Concept Fund as part of the Life Sciences Innovation Zone.

The funding would go towards a 3-year, £1.15m initiative delivered by The Science and Technology Facilities Council, part of UK Research and Innovation.

£270,000 a year would be delivered to up to six consortiums to assist with demonstrating concepts, validating technologies and accelerating research and development. The lead partner in each consortium would be based in the Liverpool City Region.

The fund would stimulate collaboration between businesses and researchers and would support at least 12 and up to  20 consortiums over the three years.

The Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone Programme (LCR Innovation Zone Programme) is part of the Government’s national Investment Zone Programme.