Seven science and tech start up and SMEs are on the move to a new home in Oxford city centre.
Occupiers of The Oxford Trust’s current Oxford Centre for Innovation are preparing to move across the city to its new location at Blue Boar Court in Alfred Street.
Last year the trust announced the freehold sale and 12-month leaseback of its current centre at Macclesfield House and at the same time, secured a 10-year lease on Blue Boar Court to continue its work to support science and technology start-ups.
The new base, once a gym for the University of Oxford, has been refurbished and will provide 13,000 sq ft of modern offices, meeting rooms and co-working space over four floors. It is the fourth location for the Oxford Centre for Innovation in the trust’s 40-year history.
The seven occupiers relocating this month, and taking a total 95 per cent of the lettable space, are Oxford Drug Design, Optellum, Q-Control, Aether, Visual Meaning, Mathys & Squire and Oxford Innovation Space, who will manage the centre, which also offers co-working space, meeting spaces and a virtual office package for smaller start-ups.
Steve Burgess, chief executive of the trust, said: “Relocating the Oxford Centre for Innovation to Blue Boar Court provides start-ups with smart new sustainable space and resources they need to scale. It also strengthens Oxford’s reputation as a leading hub for science and tech innovation.
“We are delighted that seven companies will be relocating, an endorsement of the boutique community and service we provide and the environment to enable them to thrive.
“Close to the University of Oxford’s key academic and research institutions, our new Oxford Centre for Innovation will enable collaboration between start-ups and leading researchers and investors, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries.
“We are proud to play a role in continuing to develop the thriving innovation ecosystem in Oxford and excited to welcome this dynamic and pioneering group of companies to our new Centre.”
The new home for the Oxford Centre for Innovation has reaffirmed the Trust’s ongoing investment in the region’s science and technology sector.
Paul Finn, chief scientific officer for Oxford Drug Design, said: “We are excited to be moving to The Oxford Trust’s new Oxford Centre for Innovation at Blue Boar Court. We are grateful for the Trust’s ongoing support for science and tech companies.
“The exceptional quality of the offices, facilities, and business support on offer at the new premises, will enable us to focus on our research, while growing for the future. The team has always been a pleasure to work with and we are pleased that this can continue at Blue Boar Court.”
An official opening of the centre will take place in May.
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