Newcastle Science City

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The Science City Masterplan

As a city, Newcastle has always been pioneering, and the scale and quality of it's infrastructure have played a major part in the story of success. Because of this, today Newcastle is home to some of Europe's most exciting science locations where world-class research and development is being delivered.

The city is home to two internationally renowned universities, three innovative hospitals, five centres of excellence in sectors including digital technology and energy, as well as institutes of world-leading research including the Centre for Ageing & Health at the Newcastle General Hospital and the North East Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) based at the International Centre for Life. All of this comes together to provide an ideal platform from which science innovation can develop and thrive.

There are a number of other planned projects that will play a strategic role in delivering the Science City vision within the next few years. This will contribute to developing Newcastle as a vibrant place for science, innovation and business. At the heart of the plans lie Science Central.

This pioneering approach to building a regional knowledge economy took a leap forward in 2008 when plans were unveiled for the creation of one of Europe's finest science quarter in the commercial heart of Newcastle.

Science Central, a 19-acre is destined to become the powerhouse of Newcastle Science City.  On the site of the former Newcastle brewery, this prestigious facility located in the heart of Newcastle will become a home where science based businesses sit alongside academic research institutes, cementing partnerships and enabling a true science ecosystem to be realised. The site will house commercial organisations, research institutes, business support centre and state-of-the-art facilities for start-up science companies. Science City is working with a number of partners to ensure that the site supports a strong science offering for investors.

Science Central
Science Central holds the key to a lot of the plans to develop the scientific community in Newcastle. The project is based on the former brewery site in Newcastle city centre, which was purchased by Newcastle Science City Partnership in 2005.

Due to cover 19 acres, Science Central represents significant investment from the founding partners, and a commitment to position Science Central as a unique and vibrant community for the creation of new scientific enterprises.

Driving the idea is a vision of scientists working together, in an atmosphere where they can share ideas and support each other in turning them into commercial reality. The idea is to blend start-up companies with big businesses in an environment that places innovation and experimental ideas at its core.

Located close to the main shopping area of Newcastle, this will be a place for the community to frequent, with housing, offices, dining and café areas and attractive public spaces so people can spend time there.

In doing so, they will be able to see people working in scientific laboratories, incubators and small businesses, creating a real buzz about science.

These activities will be integrated into the wider regeneration of this new city centre quarter, which will contain significant new commercial, leisure and retail investment.

Construction is scheduled to begin on the site in early 2012. The NewcastleGateshead City Development Company (1NG) will lead on the real estate aspects of Science Central. The Company, created by One North East and Newcastle and Gateshead city councils, will drive the project forward and it is envisaged that in total, including private sector support, Science Central represents approximately £700m investment, with the potential to create 5,000 jobs.

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