The Coalition Government’s policy changes, from the creation of LEPs to the Technology Strategy Board’s proposed Fraunhofer-style “Technology and Innovation Centres”, are highlighting how science parks can support and nurture new businesses. In addition, their co-ordination of business support and mentoring also makes them a natural source of advice and support, as the roles of Business Link and the RDAs is phased out.
Supporting science parks and innovation centres
From idea through to fully operational science park, Wright Hassall will work with you and your other advisers, on all aspects of:
- site assembly to infrastructure;
- planning and environmental issues to construction contracts;
- bank finance to regional, national and European funding;
- collaboration, via joint venture and SPVs to LLPs and REITs.
Once development’s under way, we can also help you deal with day-to-day matters:
- granting and managing leases and licences;
- virtual tenancies, hot desks and MLR registration/compliance;
- rent recovery and covenant enforcement;
- managing and resolving tenant insolvency.
We have three decades of practical experience of science and technology parks – what works, what doesn’t, what’s fundamental, what’s not – gained from working with many science parks across the UK. We can help you whether your project is led by a university or research institution, a commercial entity, or if it is a concept that is still on the drawing board. We can also help if you are putting forward a bid for one of the Technology Strategy Board’s proposed “Technology and Innovation Centres”.
24x7 online access to your matters
Wright Hassall provide online access for science park clients, allowing 24x7 access to documents and transactions over the web, using your smartphone, tablet, netbook, laptop or desktop PC, wherever and whenever you need the information.
We’re also working on further automation, using industry-leading software, supported by our own in-house IT team, to turn round leases faster, and to keep clients up-to-date, as transactions progress, literally hour-by-hour.
UK Science Park Association
Our lawyers support the aims and ambitions of Science Parks and have a thorough understanding of the issues affecting them. The team is led by consultant solicitor, Barry Sankey, who is a contributing author of UKSPA’s “Guide to the Planning Development and Operation of Science Parks”, and is presently working with UKSPA in preparing further “good practice” guides for the sector.
Wright Hassall’s team of lawyers, not only has many years’ collective experience of business generally but also has an extensive network of other business advisers into which and their tenants can tap. In addition our Business Affiliate role with the UK Science Park Association underpins our commitment to the the movement and demonstrates that we share your belief in building better technology-led businesses.
As business affiliates of UKSPA, you will usually find our team at members’ meetings – either as delegates or often hosting a workshop – go to the UKSPA website to find out more.
Would you like us to be part of your team?
For a no-obligation chat about how we can support your business in the science park or innovation centre sector, please contact
Barry Sankey on 01926 884630 or 07831 880 269.
