In February BioGrad Diagnostics said it would create 120 new jobs in Liverpool city region and now it is investing £2m in a second site thanks to a surge in demand for COVID tests. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool laboratory business BioGrad Diagnostics is investing more than £2m in a new site in Liverpool city region as demand for COVID-19 testing rockets.

Based at Liverpool Science Park, BioGrad is to open a new base at St Hugh’s House in Stanley Road in Bootle. Opening on June 20, it will include a clinic, customer service call centre and marketing and HR departments across 7,500 sq ft on two floors.

BioGrad had previously announced an expansion in the city region, creating 120 new jobs. This follows the launch of five other clinics since December 2020 including sites in Manchester and three locations in London.

And, in response to international travel restrictions being eased further, BioGrad has made its testing services more accessible by almost halving the price of the essential tests needed for the public to travel abroad to £60. It provides results with 24 hours of arrival at its labs.

Dr Natalie Kenny, chief executive of BioGrad Diagnostics, said: “Over the last 14 months, we have done our bit in helping keep the country moving by providing fast, accurate testing, while trying to remain affordable in order to meet the increased needs of the public and keep people safe in the fight against COVID-19.

“We are processing tens of thousands of tests per week. Opening in Bootle is further evidence of our growing success. We are already on the lookout for further premises in the city region.”