OF THE YEAR
BUSINESS PARK Sponsored by
Business THE TM MA GAZINE
Winner: The University of Southampton Science Park
The first awards category covered a major feature of the South Coast property world – business parks.
The judges were looking for business parks that maintained high occupancy levels, consistently received good feedback from tenants, had a reputation for customer service, and maybe offered some exciting initiatives during 2015.
The two shortlisted finalists were: • Lakeside North Harbour Business Campus, Portsmouth • The University of Southampton Science Park
Formerly owned and occupied by IBM, Lakeside has been transformed in the past decade into a bustling, thriving, multi- occupied business campus employing more than 3,000 people. Having a prominent M27 J12 position at the gateway to Portsmouth, its excellent travel links by road, rail, bus, bike, foot, plane or ferry make it an attractive business home and destination. Lakeside facilities are also top grade from its existing wildlife-rich setting, Central Square retail area and Tops Day Nursery to a 250- seat event auditorium and Village Urban Resort hotel being added this year. Award-winning customer service standards are reflected in its high occupier retention. Providing more than 0.5 million sq ft of office accommodation, occupancy levels at Lakeside have steadily risen from 65% in 2010 to 99% in 2015.
The University of Southampton Science Park provides more than just science and technology. It provides a community where businesses can thrive, and enjoy a range of tenancy options that can grow with them from startup through to becoming a successful trading force. New initiatives are the lifeblood of the Science park. Catalyst is a centre of excellence helping brilliant but
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH COAST – SEPTEMBER 2016
fledgling entrepreneurs get started, with free fit-for-purpose office space, mentoring, workshops and £1,000 funding. The Science Centre is a multi-use laboratory and office space, enabling essential R&D. The Benham Campus development highlights the Park’s progressive environment by providing high specification ‘grow-on’ accommodation. Southampton Science Park is also home to a growing community with 13 existing high-standard buildings, and a 14th
under construction on its Chilworth location off the M27.
Representing the category sponsors, David Murray came to the stage to announce the first winner of this first ‘lap’ of the awards evening – The University of Southampton Science Park. Afterwards, Southampton Science Park chief executive Peter Birkett, having just won the first ever SCPA award, said: “Having done extensive work on the Science Park over the past few years and being in the middle of a major build programme at the moment, this award is huge for us just now.
“We are actually a community of business people, entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers. This fantastic award recognises all they do, as much as the Park itself.
“It’s easy to under-estimate the benefits of a business park community. There are lots of occasions when companies meet each other in a serendipitous way, and from that will come new business relationships, ideas and partnerships.”
He felt that the Southampton region, when competing with other parts of the country, was often seen as an ‘underdog’ because its major players did not get the profile they should.
“This award is a valuable way of increasing our profile. It’s a welcome recognition of what we do.”
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