The MTC is moving its 60 staff from the LJMU campus to LSP and it is the facility’s biggest non-education letting since 2014. Tony McDonough reports

A leading UK manufacturing research body is to take up residence at Liverpool Science Park (LSP) – the largest non-education letting at the facility since 2014.

Bridging the gap between university-based research and the manufacturing sector, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is taking 4,750 sq ft at LSP, next to the city’s Catholic cathedral, where it will employ 60 people.

The MTC, part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult which supported by Innovate UK, has been located at Liverpool John Moores Byrom Street Campus for four years now but this expansion sees a significant increase in its operations in the North West.

Its associate director for for strategic development, Dr Charlie Whitford, said: “We are excited to be expanding our footprint in Liverpool and broadening our services and support for the wider North West, supporting skills, productivity and growth in the region.

“For the past four years we have been located on the LJMU campus. We’re looking forward to continuing our work with LJMU, as well as working with the University of Liverpool and other regional stakeholders.

“We want to help manufacturers in the North West region stay competitive, improve product development and processes, and benefit from new technologies – taking academic research and translating it into innovative manufacturing solutions for industry.”

The MTC’s move to LSP means that its ic1 and ic2 buildings are at 100% occupancy for the first time in its history, demonstrating progress since Sciontec Liverpool took over the line management of the estate in March this year.

Leanne Katsande, head of commercial at LSP, added: “After a series of successful lettings and customer expansions, finding such a significant amount of space for the MTC was an exciting challenge. The incredible team went above and beyond to accommodate all of the MTC’s needs, whilst relocating some of the buildings existing customers and amenities within other parts of the campus.”