The new state-of-the-art Ella May Barnes labs and workspace building, at Norwich Research Park, has welcomed its first tenant.
Biotech company Colorifix, an existing occupier at the park, which has developed the first entirely biological process to produce pigments for textiles, has made the new building its head offices.
The building is expected to unlock further investment at the Enterprise Zone site that could lead to the creation of up to 150 jobs, adding to the community of 12,000 people that are already working at Norwich Research Park.
South Norfolk Council and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership worked together to invest over £7 million in the 19,000 sq ft building and around £2m towards the road infrastructure to open up that area of the park.
South Norfolk Council Cabinet member, Lisa Neal, said: “I would like to welcome Colorifix to the Ella May Barnes building. This is another huge step forward and the council continues to invest in the Norwich Research Park to allow our global lead in genetics and other life sciences to extend still further, providing the space for careers and ideas to grow.”
Roz Bird, chief executive of Anglia Innovation Partnership, said: “Colorifix is a great example of an innovative industrial biotech company based at Norwich Research Park.
“The company joined the campus community in 2018 to benefit from the specialist facilities on site, including the Earlham Institute’s BioFoundry, and the engineering biology skills and expertise of the research community.
“The team has grown from a few people to over 80 staff, and it’s fantastic that, as they continue to expand and grow, they continue to consider Norwich Research Park as their headquarters.”
Image: RG Carter.
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