Property firm Bruntwood SciTech has invested more than £4m into sites in Liverpool with the aim of supporting the city’s Life Sciences Innovation Zone.
The company has refurbished The Plaza, the Cotton Exchange and Cotton House and says it supported the arrival and expansion of more than 30 high-growth businesses in the past year. The investment comes as Liverpool is aiming to develop its life sciences sector with the aim of creating around 8,000 new jobs.
More than £4m has been invested in The Plaza’s seventh floor workspace, with work also carried out to create a breakout lounge at the Cotton Exchange and the renovation of a vacant suite at Cotton House. Bruntwood SciTech has also supported several businesses to expand, including iCede Solutions Limited, which has grown three times since locating at Cotton Exchange.
To mark the completion of the investment programme, Bruntwood SciTech will be holding a Spring Festival for Liverpool Innovators on March 20.
Tony Reed, associate commercial director for Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Liverpool is emerging as a prime destination for high-growth and innovative businesses, and Bruntwood SciTech is invested for the long term into making sure that the city has the workspaces it needs to continue attracting these kinds of businesses.
“Our investments in The Plaza, Cotton Exchange and Cotton House will make sure our spaces continue to encourage collaboration and creativity, and our innovation growth support and interconnected partnerships in the city will help to continue creating a city-wide, fast growing innovation ecosystem.
“Our Spring Festival for Liverpool Innovators will mark the completion of these works and celebrate the hive of innovation that Liverpool has become. The city offers a great opportunity for both start-ups and well-established firms, with its brilliant connectivity, access to vital resources, and world-class research institutions.
“Whether its companies in technology - including computer gaming, AI and robotics - life sciences or digital sectors, Liverpool offers a unique competitive advantage and it’s important that we continue to highlight this to encourage further growth within the region.”
Bruntwood SciTech has a portfolio of 5.2m sq ft across 11 campus locations and 31 city centre innovation hubs in Manchester, Cheshire, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Cambridge and London. It has plans to create a £5bn portfolio by 2033 and has a 2.3m sq ft secured development pipeline.
