The Enterprise Zone covers two sites: Manchester Science Park’s central campus and the city’s main hospital site, owned by the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
Enterprise Zone
The Oxford Road Corridor Enterprise Zone was formally designated in 2016. Its sector focus is on attracting and developing businesses within the life sciences, health innovation, med tech, ICT, and advanced materials sectors, providing a strong platform for the development of an innovation cluster within the region’s growing knowledge economy. All business rates growth generated above baseline are retained for 25 years to reinvest in the area to support further growth.
The Oxford Road Corridor Enterprise Zone is a highly connected, cohesive group of science and technology businesses, academics, clinicians and world-leading health institutions. Spread across two sites at the South end of Manchester’s innovation district, the Enterprise Zone plays a key role in the city’s innovation ecosystem by attracting life sciences, health innovation, med tech, ICT, and advanced materials sectors to Manchester.
Established in 2016, the Oxford Road Corridor Enterprise Zone sites are Manchester Science Park and the Citylabs buildings based within the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust clinical campus on Oxford Road.
Manchester Science Park offers a range of workspaces for health, life science, advanced materials/engineering and digital tech companies. Spaces include the Bright Building and Base, a new specialist hub that will offer workspace specifically designed for companies working in high-growth sectors of Industry 4.0, low carbon, computer and energy technology, gaming and animation, building on the region’s internationally-recognised tech and manufacturing centre.
The Citylabs cluster is comprised integrative diagnostics, medtech and digital health companies driving the future of healthcare. Located within Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s campus, organisations based here enjoy a unique partnership with direct access to the NHS and thousands of STEM graduates each year.
The Oxford Road Corridor Enterprise Zone is ideally located for cutting-edge businesses who want to be close to the universities, surrounded by like-minded organisations and enjoy all the benefits of being based within one of Europe’s leading innovation districts.
“It is really useful having a similar cluster of businesses and research facilities in the area, as it is starting to create a critical mass of bio-science industries which is helpful for future collaborations and attracting staff.
We have access to a strong talent pool and can often pick the best candidates from the current graduates”
Enterprise Zone business
Since Enterprise Zone status was secured, the area has reported strong development levels, driven by high levels of occupier demand that has allowed an impressive portfolio of premises to be delivered.
The Enterprise Zone supports a range of benefits for business, its success and achievements will continue to drive advantages in coming years.