Manchester gets life sciences boost
Greater Manchester has been awarded a new Life Science Enterprise Zone by the UK Government.
The research sector is seen as a key priority for economic growth in Greater Manchester, and will help promote the development of a leading innovation cluster within the region. The new designation was made by the Department for Communities and Local Government to the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Mike Blackburn, chair of the Greater Manchester LEP, said: “This Enterprise Zone will provide a welcome boost to the life science sector in Greater Manchester. Our city is built on innovation and this sector is key for the future of our economy. It will attract top rate life science companies to the area and help make Corridor Manchester one of the top innovation districts in Europe. The Greater Manchester LEP is committed to this project and we look forward to seeing the benefits of the investments, business and jobs.”
The Life Science Enterprise Zone will include two strategic employment sites, namely Manchester Science Partnerships’ Central Campus and the Clusterlabs site, owned by the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Enterprise Zones offer incentives to attract new businesses, making it easier for them to locate there and generate jobs and growth. They also act as catalysts for new businesses, allowing the local LEP to reinvest business rate growth into the zones to attract additional investment.
