The Innovation Centre _320
Four months before the opening of ic2, there are already heads of terms with four companies to take space in the building. Two are firms looking to expand from ic1 and two are new enquiries.
And it is a much healthier position than the science park was in when it opened nearly three years ago, when it opened without any tenants before it began attracting firms. Despite the early difficulties, Dr Tasker didn’t lose sight of both its potential and the detriment to the city of it not succeeding.
She said: “Before I arrived, the city and its partners realised that Liverpool is one of the few core cities without its own science park and that meant companies were moving down the road to Manchester. There was a history of leakage of knowledge-based companies that had started in Liverpool. We are getting some companies moving back now, which is interesting.
“As a country, we are trying to create high value businesses to counter globalisation and the costs. If Liverpool doesn’t have the infrastructure to support that type of business, it will fall behind.”
However, Dr Tasker is aware that infrastructure is just one part of the solution to creating a thriving knowledge economy.
“All of this happens with the talent on the ground,” she said. “The science park is packed with talent, those creative people creating businesses and making it happen and also the team that runs the park, who have also built a successful new business.
“It’s important for the city to have talented people committed to what they do. Working long hours, delivering a huge amount with small resources, having the vision. Without them, we wouldn’t have what we have got.”
