Breaking new ground! Work starts on ‘The Catalyst’
The University of York is taking another significant step to increase its support for the city’s economy with the start of work on a building on its £500 million campus expansion to help growing new businesses.
The exciting new business space — known as The Catalyst — is part of a major project, supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Science City York, to stimulate the regional economy through a range of new developments being undertaken by the University and by the Food and Environment Research Agency at Sand Hutton.
Together with embedded space for businesses in the iconic Sir Ron Cooke Hub and academic department buildings on the campus expansion at Heslington East, The Catalyst will help to keep York at the forefront of work to promote economic development around world leading universities.
Science City York’s major project application to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme in Yorkshire and Humber secured £19.7 million to develop new infrastructure to stimulate R&D and improve regional competitiveness in the science and technology sectors. More than £15 million of this is being allocated to help fund the expansion of facilities on the University’s campus expansion including The Catalyst, a further circa 750 square metres of knowledge exchange accommodation in the Sir Ron Cooke Hub and the new Higher York Creative Technology Centre.
The Catalyst is designed to support the growth and development of early stage companies in the creative, IT, digital and media sectors. It will give new businesses the opportunity to access the facilities and the teaching and research expertise of the University’s academic departments, including Computer Science, Law and Management and the new Department of Theatre, Film and Television.
York Science Park Ltd. will lease and manage the building and use its long track record of successful incubation on the Science Park to facilitate the close integration and knowledge exchange between the commercial and academic environments. The Catalyst will provide rewarding networking and collaboration opportunities for its occupants, plus a range of specialist business support services dedicated to assist early stage businesses.
Due for completion in the Autumn, The Catalyst will feature 2,755 square metres of flexible, modern, fully serviced and managed office space, with a range of all inclusive, short term rental options on spaces from just 15 to 126 square metres. There will be a range of meeting spaces available for both internal and external organisations to use, and the building is set to achieve a BREEAM rating, which measures a building’s environmental performance, of ‘very good’ .
The Catalyst will expand the already extensive range of facilities on offer and further enhance York Science Park’s reputation as a leading location for science and technology based businesses.
Dr. Chris Henshall, Pro Vice Chancellor for External Relations at the University of York said: “The University of York is proud to be building on its strong track record of support for businesses and the knowledge economy through the innovative facilities being developed in the first phase of the Heslington East Campus expansion.”
Tracey Smith, General Manager of York Science Park said: “The Catalyst will provide the perfect space for early stage companies in the creative, IT, digital and media sectors to innovate and grow. Its unique location will enable new businesses in these sectors to draw on the wealth of knowledge and expertise available in the University, and give them a real head start on their road to commercial success.”
Andy Gurnell, Science City York said: “Accelerated growth of the creative and digital industries is a key element in promoting York’s economic success. Securing European funding has enabled the development of an innovative infrastructure initiative which will cement York’s position as a leading centre for knowledge exchange and as a city of science. We’re delighted to be centrally involved in this important new opportunity for business.”
The main contractor for The Catalyst is BAM Construction.
For more information and to find out how to rent space in The Catalyst visit http://www.yorksciencepark.co.uk or call 01904 435100