South Cambridge Science Centre tailors space to your specific needs – and what a space!

Quite frankly, it’s a dream come true. Space fashioned to your own specification. Space the first rather than the final frontier. And bespoke options being made available to science and technology businesses seeking an inspirational environment to grow a successful enterprise.

For any S & T company looking to build long term I would seriously urge them to engage as a matter of priority and take a look round before committing to a make or break proposition elsewhere.

Flexibility abounds. Just look at what’s on the table: Tailored space. Sustainable technology oozing from every pore. Facility for electronics and general tech that will not damage the National Grid. Great slab to slab (c4m) provision and all space designed to meet leading vibration criteria for sensitive equipment.

Build into that proposition Incredible parking and extraordinary EV facilities; provision for cyclists that goes way beyond the norm. Even finance can be arranged for occupiers given the right proposition.

And easy access from all major points on the compass as the Centre regales the Dales Manor Business Park close to the Cambridge City soccer ground, Abstract Group of Companies, which has years of fashioning attractive and homely business environments, is steering the venture under the experienced guiding hand of chief executive and former lawyer Mark Glatman.

The first thing to say is that the space options for companies are pretty flexible and a range of possible sizes available, complemented by a ‘serviced’ offering from Frontier IP which is already installed in the premises to offer a guiding hand.

In terms of space that can be made available, the Abstract sweet spot would be to let a whole floor of a single wing (around 15- 20,000 sq ft) but it would consider a minimum size letting of no less than 5-6,000 sq ft, As you will detect the floor space can be divided up extremely efficiently.

To get a further picture of the space, if Abstract were to spread one occupier across two wings, on the first or second floor, it boasts one of the biggest science floor plates in the UK at c43,000k sq ft - on either floor!

To complement this, Frontier IP can offer a ‘serviced’ lab facility within its own overflow space. This will principally be aimed at startups and early stage businesses looking to move into purpose built accommodation and is achievable simply through making a few bench spaces available in a shared facility or providing self contained labs measuring between 1,000 and 6,000 sq ft.

These also come with the benefit of the experience of Frontier IP and its other businesses – an opportunity for mentoring, possible financial guidance, and knitting into a wider network/ecosystem which is being promoted within the Science & Technology community being developed. Versatility of provision is very much to the core.

Abstract can either let the space as is and occupiers can fit out themselves. Or it will price up bespoke fit outs and can rentalise the fit-out over the lease term. To rentalise is the practice of including the cost of property improvements in a lease agreement, where the tenant pays for the landlord’s investment over time through increased rent.

As Glatman explains: “The space is really flexible and works for technology, biology and chemistry. Wet labs, dry labs, ducted fume hoods (we can accommodate heavy chemistry users without the need for additional planning) and offices are all available within the specification that we can work on with prospective tenant companies.”

Abstract has invested more than £60 million into creating the facility and surrounds to date and initial success is just around the corner: The first occupier is likely to move into the space after fit-out completes around March time.

And here’s another important aspect of potential tenancy to consider - generally it takes just 16-20 weeks to complete a fitted space, depending on specification and size. Cambridge being Cambridge, the ease of access from all parts of the region is outstanding in this driver’s opinion but, again, environmental considerations and personal choice of transport options are again to the fore.

In Phase 1 of the development there are 295 car spaces (20 at the attractive front of the building and 275 in a roomy, well designed multistorey car park - and of those latter 86 are E-charging initially and the whole car park is capable of being converted if that is proved to be a requirement. Also, there are 12 motor cycle spaces.

There are a further 100 overflow spaces which will eventually accommodate the envisaged Phase 2 development adding to a total of 395 car spaces currently available. Four wheels good but two wheels equally so in the eyes of the developer which has had the foresight to provide 245 dedicated cycle spaces – as well as E- bike charging points, bike repair facilities and even a wash station. All in a covered and secure facility.

As part of its far-sighted approach, Abstract is prepared to link occupiers to potential funders and will also provide an ecosystem within which where there exists the opportunity for interaction on financing and other aspects of business development which could prove equally fruitful for young companies starting out or more mature businesses keen to access ongoing scale-up support.

This offering might even include direct investment by Abstract where suitable opportunities present themselves. In this eco-friendly age in which we live it is worth mentioning a special feature which took my eye on a recent tour of the facility.

Of all the environmental steps Abstract has taken in the building it is worth noting the Alusid tiles. Alusid makes use of unwanted manufacturing materials that others discard. Taking these materials, it puts them through an ingenious, environmentally low-impact process to give them a new lease of life. The result is a special new material that combines recycled glass and porcelain, to create beautiful solid surfaces and tiles that are bespoke in character and respectful of the planet. The tiles can be found in catering and bathroom facilities throughout the building.

Companies seeking a competitive edge to its proposition will also be interested to learn that one of Frontier IP Group’s portfolio companies - Cambridge Raman Imaging (CRI) - will be installing one of the most sophisticated imaging microscopes in the UK into the new Centre, and this could offer very significant benefits to companies involved in many areas of scientific work, especially involving cell and tissue research.

The technology – developed in Italy – is already gaining universal approval and is likely to prove a significant attraction for occupants of the pioneering South Cambridge Science Centre. It also occurs that much of the so-called ‘science’ space being promoted via the agency community in the Cluster is older, often slightly refurbished, accommodation which is not easily adaptable to the requirements of fast-moving S & T companies and could be hard to shift in years to come.

South Cambridge Science Centre is blossoming from a virgin canvas and the owners are able to expand and evolve the facilities as the years unfold – and without massively expensive outlay. Such flexibility is hard to put a price on but could be worth its weight in gold as time marches on.

Of course you will want to get in touch before you look anywhere else. Email:-Christopher.McPherson@abstractsecurities.com