Empowering Local Economies: The Role of Science and Tech in Regional Development

Science and technology sit at the heart of regional development, helping cities and towns evolve into thriving centres of innovation. Across the UK, places like Manchester, Cheshire and Birmingham are seeing rapid transformation thanks to the creation of world-class innovation districts, specialist campuses and purpose-built facilities that attract businesses, talent and investment.

Bruntwood SciTech plays a central role in this growth. Our mission is to power economies through innovation in our cities, supporting 2,600 high-growth businesses by 2032. Through developments that combine cutting-edge lab and office space with retail, hospitality, wellness facilities and essential business support, we’re helping local areas cultivate the environments that ambitious companies need to succeed.

From pioneering life science campuses to digital tech hubs, our sites Manchester Science Park, Citylabs, Alderley Park, Birmingham Health Innovation Campus and Melbourn Science Park demonstrate how dynamic places unlock opportunity, drive business growth and create lasting economic change.

What is Regional Development, and Why Does it Matter?

Regional development refers to the strategic transformation of areas through targeted investment, infrastructure upgrades and innovation-led regeneration. Rather than focusing solely on economic parity, effective regional development supports long-term growth by unlocking local potential, creating jobs, attracting talent and building communities that thrive.

By creating innovation-led campuses and specialist science and tech hubs in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Cheshire and Cambridge, Bruntwood SciTech stimulates ecosystems that support startups, scaleups and research-led businesses. These hubs provide access to high-quality workspace, business support programmes and talent networks, all well-placed with excellent transport links, that help companies thrive.

Innovation districts often become catalysts for smart cities. With digital technology embedded into the environment, they improve quality of life for residents while attracting further investment. Over time, regional initiatives scale beyond local boundaries, contributing significantly to national economic success.

Government Investment: Accelerating Regional Transformation

Recent government-backed programmes are helping drive innovation even further. Investment Zones in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and other regions are channelling funding into key growth sectors such as advanced materials, digital tech, clean energy and life sciences, many of which align with Bruntwood SciTech’s specialist campuses and innovation partnerships.

The Impact of Science and Tech on Local Economies

The introduction of science and tech hubs into local areas has a profound, measurable impact on economic development.

Job Creation and Skills Growth

Innovation-led districts generate a wide range of highly skilled employment opportunities, attracting talent from across the UK and beyond. They also encourage local communities to pursue education and training in STEM fields, helping reduce unemployment and promote upward mobility.

In fact, research from Bruntwood SciTech highlights that the science and tech sectors are expected to deliver 65 percent of all net-zero jobs by 2050, further demonstrating their importance.

Support for Startups and SMEs

By offering specialist support programmes, flexible workspace and access to networks, innovation hubs help early-stage businesses grow quickly. This fosters a culture of entrepreneurship that energises local communities, creating thriving towns and inspiring future generations.

Increased Investment

Science and tech environments attract both domestic and international investment. As clusters scale, they draw in funding for infrastructure, research, education and new commercial developments, delivering long-term financial benefits for local areas.

Infrastructure Improvement and Long-Term Resilience

Hubs require modern digital and physical infrastructure, leading to improvements in transport, connectivity and public services that benefit the wider community. Because science and tech industries sit at the forefront of innovation, areas that host these hubs become more resilient to economic shifts.

Case Studies of Regional Transformation by Bruntwood SciTech

Bruntwood SciTech’s mission to power local economies through innovation is clearly reflected in the transformation of key UK regions. From repurposing heritage science campuses to building new health and tech clusters, these developments go beyond workspace - they help shape entire innovation ecosystems. The following case studies highlight how strategic investment, industry partnerships and specialist infrastructure are helping to turn Cheshire, Birmingham and Manchester into nationally significant science and technology hubs.

Cheshire - Alderley Park

Alderley Park is one of the UK’s most significant life science campuses. Alderley Park has evolved into a world-leading location for businesses in medtech, diagnostics, drug discovery and applied AI. Today, more than 250 companies occupy the campus, supported by high-spec labs, state-of-the-art facilities and access to specialist business support.

In 2023, Alderley Park saw almost £50m in R&D fundraising for companies on site, reflecting the strength of its ecosystem and its ability to attract talent and inward investment. Planning approval for new science and technology developments will add 200,000 sq ft of lab and office space and facilitate up to 1,600 new jobs in the region:

Alderley Park continues to play an essential role in strengthening the Cheshire economy and attracting world-class talent and investment.

Birmingham - Birmingham Health Innovation Campus

Birmingham Health Innovation Campus (BHIC) is at the centre of the city’s ambition to become a health-tech powerhouse. The campus is a designated Life Science Opportunity Zone, connecting research excellence at the University of Birmingham with clinicians from University Hospitals Birmingham and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trusts.

When fully complete, BHIC will support more than 10,000 jobs and attract significant inward investment, including £10.8m from the Government’s Getting Building Fund. Its infrastructure will help shape Birmingham’s emerging innovation quarters and stimulate long-term growth across the wider Birmingham economy.

Manchester - Manchester Science Park and Greenheys

Manchester Science Park, which encompasses nine buildings which offer a mix of lab and office space, including Base and the Bright Building, is Bruntwood SciTech’s flagship innovation district, home to more than 150 fast-growing science and tech companies. Its evolution has been accelerated through major partnerships, including with The University of Manchester, helping position the city as a leader in digital innovation and scientific discovery.

The new Greenheys development will see UK Biobank move half of their HQ to the building, while expanding the campus even further, adding 131,000 sq ft of lab and write-up space, supporting over 2,500 full-time jobs during construction and operation. As a government-designated High Potential Opportunity Zone for Diagnostics and Early Intervention for Healthy Ageing, Manchester Science Park is one of the UK’s most significant contributors to regional and national economic growth.

Forging a Path Towards the Future

Bruntwood SciTech continues to expand its innovation network across the UK, with Melbourn Science Park marking its first investment in the South. New developments across the portfolio ensure ongoing investment in regional development, fostering places where high-growth businesses can thrive.

As we look ahead, our ambition is to continue creating the environments, communities and infrastructure that scale innovation and strengthen local economies. If your business is seeking specialist labs or research facilities, explore our lab space offering today.