The University of Southampton Science Park was named Business Park of the Year at the South Coast Property Awards 2016 which took place on the 7th of July. The awards, hosted by The Business Magazine, highlight outstanding talent in the region’s property sector.
Accepting the award, Peter Birkett, CEO of the University of Southampton Science Park, commented: “Our Science Park has always been so much more than a property business. Nurturing the entrepreneurial community we have created here has been our number one priority and resulted in occupancy levels of over 90% since 2014, and attracting businesses from across the UK to the Southampton area. We are extremely proud that our hard work, and that of our tenants and partners, including property consultancy, Vail Williams, who are managing agents for the site, has been recognised with this award, and we remain committed to strengthening our offering to the region’s business community.”
Alexandra Finlayson, Partner and Account Manager for Vail Williams said: “ We are pleased that The University of Southampton Science Park has scooped the very well-deserved award. Vail Williams have been providing property consultancy including Facilities Management and Sole Agency since the 1980s and been involved with the Park’s growth from a small estate to the successful Business Park it is today. As trusted advisor we have guided the property asset management and marketing of the site to both maintain services and attract new tenants to the property. It is superb that such a prestigious award has been received by our client.”
David Murray, Managing Director and Publisher of The Business Magazine added: “This award recognises the University of Southampton Science Park’s ability to maintain high occupancy levels, market itself effectively through new initiatives and the positive feedback it receives on an ongoing basis from its tenant businesses.
“It is a community where businesses thrive, home to a wealth of tenants from start-ups to global names such as Merck and Fibercore. It has a great reputation and judges particularly highlighted the nurturing aspect of the Park, where fledgling companies are given the encouragement to grow at every stage of their development. Southampton Science Park is an asset to our region and long may that continue.”
The University of Southampton Science Park is fast becoming one of the UK’s most desirable destinations for science and technology-based businesses, from start-ups to multinationals. Business support, the Catalyst incubation programme and flexible leases help businesses to grow and flourish while new property developments, such as 5 Benham Campus which will be unveiled later this year, continue to attract and retain interest from top entrepreneurial talent. The Science Park will also play host to Nucleus Expo for the second time this September.
To find out why Southampton Science Park was awarded Business Park of the Year, visit www.science-park.co.uk and follow @vailwilliams on twitter. If you are interested in locating your business at the park, please call Vail Williams LLP or visit www.vailwilliams.com.
