Innovation centre to open in Norwich next month

By Elaine Watson

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags science

Innovation centre to open in Norwich next month
A new innovation centre at Norwich Research Park with space to house up to 300 staff will be fully operational next month.

The newly-refurbished office and laboratory complex, which is managed by a joint venture called Colney Innovations Limited (CIL), marks the first phase of a plan to create 5,000 new science-related jobs at the research park by 2021.

CIL is aiming to attract start-ups and growing research companies looking to translate scientific research into new products and technologies.

The level of interest to date has been "very encouraging",​ said a spokesman. However, there are still units available to rent.

Businesses at the centre, which is next-door to the Institute of Food Research,​ will also benefit from their close proximity to the 2,700+ research scientists in health, food and environmental sciences also working in the park, he added.

CIL director David Parfrey said the centre would house more than 30 office and laboratory units: “The suites will provide unrivalled facilities for new and expanding research businesses attracted to the cluster of science facilities at the Norwich Research Park.

“The research carried out by the two thousand scientists already working at the Park is world-class and it makes absolute sense to create a facility on this site where the results of such research can be taken through to applications.”

The £5m refurbishment has been funded by grants of £500,000 from the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council), £1.4m from the East of England Development Agency, £1m from the Greater Norwich Development Partnership, £500,000 from the University of East Anglia and the remainder from other Norwich Research Park partners.The Norwich Research Park (NRP) is set for an influx of science businesses with the completion this July of the new £5 million innovation and incubation building, funding for which was announced in January this year.

Related topics NPD

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