page_title: Keele University Science & Business Park
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Keele University Science & Business Park / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Keele University Darwin Building
context_page_description: Keele University Science and Innovation Park is a science and business development facility located on the campus of Keele University in North Staffordshire and was established in the mid-1980s. Located between Manchester and Birmingham, the Science Park is within 20 minutes of junctions 15 and 16 of the M6 motorway and is wholly owned by Keele University. One of 5 key employment sites in Staffordshire, the role of the Science Park is to support the growth of innovative businesses, particularly those active in research and development within the West Midlands region by providing a high quality location and a wide range of business support services.
context_section_description: The success of the Merseyside Innovation Centre established in 1980 to promote technology transfer between local academia and industry in Liverpool spawned a second wave of Science Parks in the UK.  Riding on its crest, in late 1985, the Borough Council of Newcastle-under-Lyme declared interest in creating a Science Park at Keele University. The Stephenson building, located close to the main university campus was the first development unit and currently houses Cobra Biologics Ltd, a pharmaceutical company. The Darwin building followed suit in 1991. In 1999, Keele Park Developments (KPD Ltd) was set-up as a joint venture with Pochin Development Ltd to create one of four Innovation Centres.  Pochin sold its interest back to Keele in 2013 Today, Keele University Science & Innovation Park is home to over 40 companies. and employs over 600 staff.  Occupancy of the Science Park remains at circa 95% of available space (including some University occupancy in IC1 and IC2).
  In May 2015, a Science Park review recommended the re-branding of the park with a requirement for tenants to be active in core academic activities, further development of the Nova Centre as an incubation for start-up companies and a Directorate of Engagement and Partnerships to lead future initiatives. 
  All employees of the Science Park can benefit from local campus amenities (bank, pharmacy, cafés) including the Sports Centre.  There is also a Day Nursery available for 128 children aged 3 months to 5 years on campus.  St John’s CE Primary School provides further facilities in Keele village.
caption: Keele University Darwin Building
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