Turning ideas into marketable reality

After completing the first phase of the new industrial estate for high-tech companies two years ago, those in charge at the Malvern Hills Science Park (MHSP) had the task of turning the ideas that formed it into brilliant, marketable reality.

Planning for the park began in 1995 but it was not until 1998 that its aims - to entice and encourage start-up firms and QinetiQ spin-off companies - came into focus. Since then, building work has continued, so that it now provides 35 small and medium-sized units of modern, cedar-clad, light-filled office space on land owned by QinetiQ, Malvern's biggest employer.

Although MHSP is a partnership between Malvern Hills District Council (which invested £1million), Worcestershire County Council (£500,000) and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (£500,000), QinetiQ is very much involved. Not only has it guaranteed five years' low ground rent but its interest also extends to supporting former employees going it alone to develop new ideas.

So far, the first two phases of the development off Geraldine Road have proved a hit, with the last available unit in the £1.6 million Phase One expected to be leased out by the end of this week and nine out of 11 in the £1.8 million Phase Two already in use.

One company formed by a former QinetiQ employee, 20/20 Speech (developers of speech technology equipment) has already highlighted the good intentions of the MHSP by expanding into six units from its original four.

The next phase intends to cater for companies like 20/20 by providing larger premises to expand into as an established company.

To that end outline planning for eight detached offices, parking and landscaping is already being sought with building phases three, four and five hoped to be complete by 2006 and self-development phases six to ten by 2008.

Wendy Jackson, an economic development officer with MHDC, who has been involved in the project since its 1995 conception, said: "It's extremely satisfying to see it working. We're getting quite good feedback. The majority of people here are happy where they are and most are planning to grow."

While MHSP chief executive Nigel Shaw is the man responsible for securing tenants, Wendy Jackson said they take advantage of their role as a founding member of the Malvern's Experience to promote both Malvern and the science park.

"The marketing for the science park company is very focused," she said. "Being a part of something like Malvern's Experience allows us to talk up Malvern to much wider audience. The Experience has its own exhibition stand and its own literature.

"In September, the United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) are hosting their annual conference here for the first time. We'll have something like at least 60 to 80 delegates for two days and it helps that people like the Abbey Hotel and a couple of other hotels and restaurants in the town are also partners in the Malverns Experience.

"We're hoping to bring a lot of business to the town with all this. The delegates are coming from all over the country and we're putting on a programme of events, including dinner and local entertainment. So, for part of the conference, we'll be badging ourselves as part of the Malverns Experience.

"One of the science park's aims is to make it internationally recognised as a location for science and technology business. Therefore, we have to do more of this high-profile marketing, so being part of Malverns Experience is a good way to do that. We get more publicity than we could have if we just paid for it ourselves."

As well as drawing on the promoting benefits of the Malverns Experience, the members draw up a list of aims to help the town each year. This year those aims include encouraging partnerships, working closely with the Malvern Hills Conservators and planning authorities and developing school links with companies.