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University of Warwick Science Park (UWSP) has announced a £6 million investment to redevelop the Vanguard Centre, aimed at meeting surging demand for laboratory space across the Midlands region.
The redevelopment will convert the existing building into a state-of-the-art commercial facility housing:
- 13,600 sq ft of new laboratory space
- 8,000 sq ft of office accommodation
- Modern meeting suites
- Shared collaborative workspaces
Construction firm Denton has been appointed to manage the project, which is scheduled for completion by autumn 2026.
According to UWSP business development manager Emma Turner, businesses locating at the site will benefit from immediate proximity to a top-ranked research university and a growing innovation ecosystem supporting scientific start-ups, scaleups, and R&D teams.
However, the redevelopment responds to a pressing national challenge:
a shortage of suitable lab infrastructure, particularly outside the UK’s “golden triangle” of Oxford, Cambridge, and London. Rising demand has placed major pressure on existing facilities, leaving many STEM businesses struggling to secure affordable and fit-for-purpose spaces to operate and grow.
Recent research highlights the Midlands’ expanding contribution to innovation. A joint Royal Academy of Engineering/Beauchamp report (2023) revealed that Warwick and Birmingham universities alone generated 84 spin-out companies between 2011 and 2023, underscoring the region’s commercial research potential.
UWSP, founded in 1984 and now wholly owned by the University of Warwick, operates a four-campus portfolio exceeding 100,000 sq ft across Coventry and Warwickshire, including the Coventry Business Innovation Centre and Blythe Valley Innovation Centre.
The Vanguard Centre redevelopment also incorporates strong environmental credentials, with plans including:
- Sustainable building materials
- Electric-only mechanical and electrical systems
- EV charging infrastructure
- High EPC ratings and BREEAM standards
With major science parks clustered across the Midlands—including Birmingham Science Park and Wolverhampton Science Park—the region continues to gain momentum as a leading alternative innovation powerhouse in the UK.
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