PRIVATE equity firm Gresham House has launched phase one of its science and business facility in South Liverpool.

Gresham has refurbished the former Glaxo Smith Kline site, at Southern Gateway, in Speke, and has now called it Liverpool Science Centre.

It will offer specialist facilities and accommodation for science-focused businesses and organisations.

Comprising a total of 97,385 sq ft, the facility can be adapted to suit the needs of tenants.

The centre offers administrative, office and laboratory areas with showers and changing rooms with manned 24-hour security.

Space is available for occupancy as a whole building or in smaller units of 807 sq ft to 5,543 sq ft, and will suit established businesses or start-ups with room to grow and expand.

Each unit can be adapted to have a separate entrance and reception area and there are 400 car parking spaces available.

Mike Boyens, a director of Gresham’s property development arm, New Capital Developments, marked the building as officially open during a recent ceremony that was attended by representatives from Eli Lilly, Novartis, The Heath Business & Technical Park and Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus as well as directors from the recently incepted Liverpool Citizens and lecturers from Hope University.

Gresham acquired the whole site in 2004 and began development work on the Liverpool Science Centre in 2010.

Established in 1857, Knightsbridge- based Gresham House is an authorised investment trust investing in both commercial properties and securities across the UK.

Mike Boyens added: “Liverpool Science Centre is a fantastic facility that has been developed to a particularly high standard.

“It will provide ideal laboratory, clean room, or office accommodation for a science-based business or organisation looking for A Grade premises in a prime location.”