WITH construction work on-going on multi-million pound redevelopment plans, there has never been a better time to invest in the North East. And among the region’s biggest shining lights is the North East Technology Park, (NETPark), in Sedgefield, County Durham – home to internationally recognised science and technology companies. It is uniquely placed to offer a dynamic and supportive environment to accelerate growth into global markets. It brings a like-minded community together in an exceptional environment, with links to a readymade manufacturing supply chain and a talented workforce.
The park is currently enjoying an ambitious £12.6m expansion programme including infrastructure works for a 1km access road opening up 26 acres of development land made possible thanks to a £5m grant from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Local Growth Fund (LGF). Development works also include construction of the new £7.6m NETPark Explorer buildings, including £3.2m worth of investment from the North East LEP’s Local Growth Fund.
The NETPark Explorer buildings offer bespoke laboratory, clean room and office spaces ranging from 3,500ft to 5,000ft.
The North East LEP provided £3.2m from the Local Growth Fund towards the total cost of constructing NETPark Explorer.
The Explorer units are completed to client requirements, providing grow on space for graduating incubation companies as well as established businesses which are looking for room to expand.
Among them is Ibex Innovations who will become one of the first tenants in NETPark Explorer on completion early next year. Ibex started with a virtual office at NETPark and is now at the forefront of x-ray imaging technology, which is being used in industries such as medical, food and industrial imaging.
Dr Neil Loxley, Chief Executive at IBEX, says: “It’s the quality of support and the friendly can-do attitude of NETPark staff that really sets NETPark apart from other business parks.”
High-tech IBEX is among like minded peers at NETPark with fellow tenants including PolyPhotonix, which is on target to save the NHS a billion pounds a year with its pioneering Noctura 400 sleep mask which treats diabetic retinopathy.
NETPark is also home to Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, two of the Government’s Catapult centres – the North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence and High Value Manufacturing, and four national technology centres: Printable Electronics, Formulation, Graphene Applications and Healthcare Photonics, all managed by the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI).
As Peter McDowell, business property director at Business Durham, says: “We have great transport connections and a wide mixture of premises in the county, proving that County Durham has a great deal to offer.”
Watch the new drone footage from NETPark Explorer:
To find out more visit www.northeasttechnologypark.com
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