Opened in 2017 as a hub for sensor technology Sensor City in Liverpool closed in 2020 but a new deal will see it reopen with a £2m upgrade. Tony McDonough reports
Sensor City in Liverpool is set for a £2m relaunch after closing during the first COVID lockdown in 2020.
Opened in the city’s Knowledge Quarter (KQ Liverpool) in 2017 as a hub for sensor technology, Sensor City was a joint venture between Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool.
Although closed to the public, the building has played an role as a vaccination centre for students and as part of a European Research programme.
Now Sciontec, which is jointly owned by Liverpool City Council, Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Liverpool and Bruntwood SciTech, is looking to take over the facility. It already owns and operates Liverpool Science Park.
It is talking to both universities, as well as the Government which has funded Sensor City, with a view to taking over ownership of the facility. Once completed the deal would see Sciontec invest more £2m.
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It would upgrade, modernise and relaunch Sensor City as a global hub for innovation, technology, digitalisation and the internet of things. This builds on its existing commitment to sensor technologies.
Sciontec will submit planning proposals by the end of the year for the redevelopment and reconfiguration of Sensor City. This will provide additional innovative workspace and labs across its four floors.
It completed a similar process in taking ownership of Liverpool Science Park in 2020. Since then occupancy levels and retained profits have improved significantly. The three Science Park buildings now operate at full capacity and more than £1m was invested in the new entrance.
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool and Sciontec, said: “This landmark deal with our University partners will mark an exciting transformation in the life of Sensor City.
“We are really looking forward to operating Sensor City alongside the successful Liverpool Science Park and further helping to create high value jobs and grow the city region economy, through science and technology, health and wellbeing.”