Liverpool Science Park (LSP) has remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic, supporting its customers undertaking key COVID-19 related work.

Home to a diverse mix of science, technology and knowledge intensive businesses, LSP has provided continuous access to their three purpose-built innovation centres, enabling customers involved in Liverpool City Region’s coronavirus efforts to respond at pace.

Most building users in recent weeks have been those using laboratory spaces to undertake cutting edge research projects, alongside others providing vital technical support to businesses adjusting to remote working.

Leanne Katsande, Head of Commercial at Liverpool Science Park, said: “By implementing new health and safety measures quickly and remaining open during lockdown, we have enabled our customers to work without disruption.

“Businesses who are directly contributing to the virus control and economic recovery efforts in our city region depend on operational continuity, and we are proud to have delivered the same high-quality service throughout this time.”

Occupying several research labs within LSP, the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection and Global Health have been undertaking world leading research into new diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. Together with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the NHS (represented by Liverpool Health Partners, who are also based within LSP), they have recently united through Liverpool STOP COVID to redirect the majority of Liverpool’s research efforts to COVID-19.

Other notable LSP customers who stayed active on site during lockdown include Nano Biosols, developers of gold nanoparticle technology who are providing products for those wanting to develop point of care lateral flow tests to help combat COVID-19, and the tech support team from Angel Solutions, who have been creating innovative web-based applications to help all levels of the education sector.

George Barclay, Operations Manager at Liverpool Science Park added: “LSP has a vibrant community of innovators, creators, pioneers and ground-breakers.

“Ensuring our workspaces remained accessible, while other buildings closed, has significantly aided our customers’ ability to stay agile and seize growth opportunities which arose.”

While the science and technology industries experienced heightened dependence at the peak of the virus, thoughts are turning to the construction industry to kickstart the economy as we move towards the next phase.

Located within the heart of the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool Mayoral development zone, Liverpool Science Park remains a valuable base for Morgan Sindall Construction Contractors, who are the leading the development of the Royal College of Physicians’ £35m Northern headquarters. The Spine, which is due to open in 2021 and will be one of the world’s “healthiest buildings’, is located within Liverpool’s £1bn Paddington Village and forms part of the 450-acre Knowledge Quarter innovation district. Projects on this scale provide a dynamic opportunity of national significance, which will lead Liverpool’s recovery from the global health crisis and benefit job creation and commercial development for years to come.

At a time where a quarter of UK businesses have shut down and the number of people out of work in the UK jumped 23% to 2.8 million, business continuity remains a top priority for LSP and its owners Sciontec – a partnership between Liverpool City Council, Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Liverpool and Bruntwood SciTech. The decision to remain open is hoped to have lessened the impact of the pandemic for many of Liverpool’s innovation-led businesses and organisations, not only those based at LSP, but also throughout their supply chains.

While many businesses have excelled in adapting to home working, Liverpool Science Park has reported an increase in the number of customers returning to site, as lockdown measures are gradually eased across the country. Their popular pop-up Land Coffee outlet is also back serving socially distanced refreshments to building occupants each morning.

LSP, which has recently reached record levels of occupancy, has provided continuous online support and regular community updates for businesses choosing to remain working remotely, advising customers of the health and safety procedures implemented across their three sites. However long the national lockdown measures remain in place, Liverpool Science Park remains confident that their continuous lab and office space access will prove highly advantageous to customers, offering assurance and ensuing stability to operational delivery