£20m bid to boost city science sector

11:09am Thursday 14th August 2008

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MORE than 600 new jobs could be created in York’s booming science sector if a bid for more than £20 million of Euro cash is successful.

Science City York is drawing up applications for funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) towards two major projects, says head of operations Fay Treloar.

It wants £19.5 million towards a £35 million-plus scheme known as Embedded Business Space and Technology Transfer (EBSTT), aimed at boosting the links between public sector organisations and the private sector.

The project could lead to greater support and facilities for new and developing hi-tech businesses at both the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) at Sand Hutton and the University of York, on its new campus at Heslington East.

Match funding would come from both the university and CSL. She said the money could assist in the development of sustainable technology projects at the university.

A separate bid is also being drawn up for £1.5 million to boost Science City’s Specialist Services For Business Growth And Innovation, increasing the areas of specialism from three to five.

The organisation currently specialises in helping businesses involved in biosciences, IT and digital, and creative technologies, but this could be extended to food and drink, and environmental technology.

Fay said the first (EBSTT) bid was so big that, while it would need the support of Yorkshire Forward, it might also require approval directly from Brussels.

“These are huge bids,” she said. “Outline business plans have received endorsement from Yorkshire Forward. Now we are at the stage where we are finalising the business plans. These will be submitted to Yorkshire Forward very shortly – in the next few weeks. If approved, these two bids will create in excess of 600 new jobs and another 800 jobs will be safeguarded.

“Approximately 90 new businesses will be created and 600 established businesses will be assisted.”

She said while Science City York was the lead bidder for EBSTT, the scheme was a regional one with potential benefits across the whole of Yorkshire.

She added: “Science and technology are forming an increasingly important part of the York and North Yorkshire economy, and if this bid succeeds, they will become even more important in future.”

A university spokesman said: “The knowledge transfer plans are well-advanced and are an integral part of the university’s expansion. If we secure ERDF money it will allow us to progress them more quickly.”

What is Science City York?

SCIENCE City York (SCY) markets itself as a business and skills development initiative, driving the creation and growth of business and employment opportunities across York and North Yorkshire.

It was founded in 1998 as a partnership between City of York Council and the University of York, and its website says it has helped create more than 80 new technology companies and 2,800 new jobs. SCY works within three sectors – bioscience, creative industries, and IT & digital.

Its website states: “We are building a prosperous future for York and North Yorkshire as an internationally-recognised centre of excellence for research, innovation and enterprise.”