Science City

York's drive to achieve national recognition as a "Science City" has been the heart of the Science City York partnership between City of York Council, the University of York and private industry launched in 1998. The initiative was created in recognition of the changing nature of the York economy, and the need to strengthen high quality business and employment opportunities to keep the City at the vanguard of economic development.

York has long enjoyed a reputation of excellence in science and technology thanks to the city's world-class university, which has been consistently ranked as the 6th out of 100 UK universities for research quality. The city also boasts a long track record of success in nurturing science and technology based companies. It is the chosen home for the new National Science Learning Centre and established organisations such as Smith and Nephew, CSL and DEFRA, which are part of a vibrant, rapidly growing cluster of 240 technology-based businesses bolstered by unique synergy and collaboration between the academic and business community.

In the last year, Science City York has created a 7% increase, equivalent to 457 new jobs, in science and technology occupations in York and the surrounding area for the year to July 2004. Since 1998, 2641 new jobs have been created, a 60% increase in employment in the six years since Science City York was launched, maintaining its major track record of success. The aim is to create 15,000 technology-based jobs in the city by 2021.

Some 9,000 people are now employed in the science and technology sector in York, which includes Science City York's three clusters – Bioscience, IT & Digital and Creative Technologies, support organisations and research-based at the University of York.

-The fastest growing cluster is Creative York increasing by 12% and now employing 921 people in 58 heritage, arts and creative technology organisations.

-Bioscience York is the largest cluster, growing by 6% and employing 3698 people in 54 bioscience and healthcare organisations.

-IT & Digital employs 2423 people in 105 organisations, a 7% increase on July 2003.

The Chancellor confirmed in March 2005 that Britain is poised to become a world leader in science, knowledge and research-based industries, with York, Manchester and Newcastle being joined by Bristol, Birmingham and Nottingham as "Science Cities".

Gareth Lloyd Jones, Chairman of Science City York, commented on the Chancellor’s announcement: "This an exciting time for York and continued recognition as a growing Science City at a national level will help us to build on our success and achieve our vision of 15,000 high technology jobs by 2021. We are working with Yorkshire Forward to establish how additional funding will help to achieve that vision.

“We particularly welcome the announcement that R & D tax credits will be enhanced for medium sized companies – this will enable greater investment in the region's commercial research capabilities. It is also encouraging that the Chancellor has made a national commitment to foster young entrepreneurial talent through enhanced enterprise programmes – this is at the heart of Science City York's vision to stimulate budding science and creative entrepreneurs of tomorrow. The national recognition of the Creative Industries – now 8% of the national income is also reflected locally, as the fastest growing cluster within Science City York."

Susan Johnson, Executive Director of Business Development at Yorkshire Forward, commented: "We are committed to supporting the position of York, the Science City, which brings together innovation intensive companies and helps connect them to excellence across the White Rose Universities."

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

-Science City York is a partnership between City of York Council and the University of York. It is at the heart of the economic development strategy with the objective of growing York as an internationally recognised science and technology base. Its offices are located within City of York Council's offices at 20 George Hudson Street. Further information can be obtained from: www.sciencecityyork.org.uk

-Science City York's mission is to create business and employment opportunities for local people in York through science and technology exploitation. The project was launched in November 1998 by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Science and focuses on three fast growing science clusters:

-Bioscience and Healthcare

-IT & Digital

-Creative Technologies

Science City York has a major track record of success with more than 240 science technology and creative organisations already based in York and creating more than 2600 jobs and 40 companies in its first six years. More than 9,000 people are employed in science, technology and support occupations in businesses and organisations within the three clusters, other areas of technology and research based at the University of York. This is approximately 10% of York's working population and equivalent to employment in the tourism sector.

Science City York's role covers 4 key areas:

1. Providing mentoring to York's growing high technology community and helping to generate new businesses.

2. Creating employment opportunities in the high technology sectors.

3. Guiding education and training needs to ensure the development of York's science and technology skill base.

4. Raising awareness of Science and Technology and opportunities it will bring to York in the future and of York as an internationally recognised science base.

Science City York has received endorsement from the HM Treasury Lambert Review December 2003 as a successful exemplar in fostering regional development to stimulate University- Business collaboration to create the right economic conditions to allow science and technology businesses to prosper.

Science City York receives funding from Yorkshire Forward (Yorkshire & Humber Regional Development Agency).

York is one of nine cluster areas for bioscience recognised by the UK government.

The National Science Learning Centre is due to open in Autumn 2005 and will provide professional development that supports science teachers and technicians from around the UK, helping them to deliver intellectually stimulating and relevant science education. York was chosen as the home for the centre after a bid by the White Rose Consortium (Leeds, Sheffield and York universities) and Sheffield Hallam.

Independent biomedical research charity, the Wellcome Trust is providing £25 million to fund the Centre. It is part of a network of 10 Centres around the country jointly funded by the Department for Education and Skills and the Wellcome Trust.

The National Science Learning Centre also received funding from Yorkshire Forward (Yorkshire & Humber Regional Development Agency).

For further information contact:

Rachel Goddard, Science City York Press & PR Officer, Intandem Marketing & Communications, Tel: 01757 289696 or Mobile: 07774 486237.

Anna Rooke, Manager, Science City York, Tel: 01904 554433.

For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org