Reading uni approves £50m science park

Reading University has approved the investment needed to build the first £50m phase of a new science park.

The 800,000 sq ft science and innovation park, masterplanned by architect Scott Brownrigg, includes labs and offices and won planning permission in 2010.

Sir David Bell, vice-chancellor of the university, said: “There is a substantial market in the region for such a facility, with no dedicated science park currently operating in the Thames Valley or London.

“We expect strong demand from both UK and international companies seeking a prominent Thames Valley location, while the Science Park will also be the natural choice for London-based companies that are looking for space to expand as well as emergent Thames Valley SMEs.”

The park will be constructed on a University-owned site in Shinfield, alongside the M4 and is expected to take up to 25 years to fully complete.

Phase one of the development will create 150,000 - 200,000 sq ft in three multi-tenanted office and laboratory buildings, including a Gateway building.

The university’s governing body said it has approved an initial investment of £25 million to create the site infrastructure and first three buildings, followed by a further £25 million, in time, to complete phase one.

Businesses interested in more information on the science park should contact David Gillham, Director of Research and Enterprise at the University of Reading, on 0118 378 8979.