Business is booming: campus update
It’s been a busy year at YBC, from new bioscience organisations joining our campus to long-standing occupiers expanding their space onsite here’s what we’ve been up to…
Earlier this year University of York joined tour campus, taking on 2,750 sq ft of space to conduct research that aims to control mosquito-borne disease. The announcement signified a major collaboration, where we worked closely with the University to modify the laboratories to the requirements necessary for the research to take place.
Cargill Bioindustrial, which is part of Cargill, a provider of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products to customers around the world also joined the campus this year. We worked flexibly with Cargill Bioindustrial to create bespoke workspaces which included the modification of 3,000 sq ft of laboratory space and 5,000 sq ft of office space for 50 employees.
Both new additions to our campus come following a £1m investment from long-term occupier Fera Science. This investment saw the development of the first insect research laboratory specialising in insect bioconversion – the process of feeding insects waste to create additional materials, such as protein or fertiliser – in Europe. The insect laboratory saw Fera Science’s presence onsite grow by 2,000 sq ft.
This year has also seen the leading design and environmental practice FPCR take on more office space at the campus to create a new multipurpose breakout and collaboration space. FPCR’s growth in the region has been so substantial that a second Yorkshire based office has opened in Sheffield.
Our Lakeside Conference Centre has also been in high demand post-covid hosting some of its biggest events to date, including the International Commission for Plant-Pollinator Relationships Bee Protection Group’s 15th Symposium. The symposium brought 129 delegates from global organisations across 17 countries to the region, which included visits to local attractions Castle Howard and The Guildhall.
Liz Cashon, Innovation Campus Manager at York Biotech Campus, said: “It’s been an exciting couple of years at York Biotech Campus and its great to see the place thriving with events back in full swing.
“Welcoming international businesses and delegates to our campus is a testament to the reputation of the campus as a leading hub for bioscience. It’s incredible to see knowledge sharing and innovation take place in our grounds as well seeing wider benefits to the region and local tourism economy as a result of new occupiers and conferences coming to the campus.”