With ‘growth’ at the heart of the UK Government’s agenda and an increasing urgency to find enduring solutions to pervasive health challenges, are shiny innovation locations – however full of talent and resource – really enough?
As Leeds once again gears up to host the UK’s leading real estate event this month, UKREiiF, we explore what’s behind one of the city’s most exciting property developments to date and why it reconfirms Leeds as prime location for health innovation.
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Unique proposition takes innovation up a gear
Innovation in healthcare is switching to the fast lane in Leeds as partners shape a globally-leading approach to supporting businesses set to occupy the city’s soon-to-be transformed historic Old Medical School.
Located in the heart of Leeds, the transformation will blend historical architecture with 21st-century digital and clinical infrastructure — designed specifically for startups, scale-ups, and partners building the future of healthcare.
But it’s not just about property redevelopment. Leeds is already well known for its enviable state-of-the-art innovation spaces and rich history in health innovation. City partners know something more is needed.
What sets apart this emerging new healthtech innovation hub is that businesses within the redeveloped site will supercharge their growth through the support of an exclusive, bespoke service as part of their tenancy.
That service is part of a novel agreement last year between property developer Scarborough Group International (SGI) and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust from whom SGI agreed to acquire the site.
The support service will be the crucial oil on the wheels, helping industry innovators quickly capitalise on the opportunities across Leeds’ healthcare and academia to develop, deploy and scale their solutions.
Adding the missing ingredient
SGI is one of the most active property developers across the North of England, and works differently to most, importing a global mindset while remaining committed to local impact.
“We move right into the detail and complexity of innovation ecosystems to create fantastic, purpose-designed spaces which also offer a vital missing ingredient,” explains Deb Hetherington, SGI’s Director of Innovation Ecosystems.
“That missing ingredient is about so much more than bricks and mortar. It’s about designing the innovation ecosystems with built-in, tailor-made support to enable innovators to flourish quickly and for the long-term. It’s how the most successful innovation ecosystems around the world are operating and we’re bringing that to Leeds.
“We’re working with all the core partners within Leeds’ fabulous, city centre Innovation Arc – from the universities, the local and regional authorities and the NHS organisations, to the existing and incoming businesses. We’re joining up the diverse worlds of entrepreneurs, researchers, clinicians, and industry partners who are all focussed on advancing health and care.
“By understanding where their shared objectives intersect, we can create a blended service between them which supports tenant business throughout their journey. In turn, as well as accelerating their development and growth and boosting the local, regional and national economy – it fast-tracks those much-needed breakthroughs in healthcare,” says Deb.
The SGI team is collaborating with partners to remove barriers and shape the most effective routes to success within the wider Leeds ecosystem. Through careful business diagnostics they will match prospective tenants with partner objectives to supercharge success for all parties.
“It’s complex and it has to remain agile and adaptive, so we’re here for the long-term,” says Deb. “But I’m confident that we can all do this brilliantly in Leeds because the level of trust and collaboration here is the strongest I’ve experienced anywhere. That’s a hugely-advantageous starting point.”
Prime location with huge growth forecast
The 75,000 square feet of Old Medical School commands a prime location. It’s shouldered on two sides by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the UK’s largest, renowned for its world-leading research. And it’s within strolling distance of three leading universities, each producing complementary health-related world-leading research. All this at the heart of a city independently ranked third internationally as a healthtech hub.
By partnering with local universities and educational institutions, the hub also aims to provide training and development programmes, further strengthening Leeds’ skilled workforce pipeline for the sector.
The Old Medical School redevelopment is part of Leeds’ emerging Innovation Village which is forecast to boost the regional economy by £13 billion, creating 4,000 jobs. It is a flagship project of the £160 million West Yorkshire Healthtech and Digital Tech Investment Zone, which signals strong Government recognition of this high growth sector.
From old school anatomy to 21st century AI
Having first opened in 1894, the building is part of the city’s rich heritage in health innovation. But with its architectural heritage status, how will developers square that with today’s requirements?
“We’re very excited to be able to repurpose this part of our estate which is well-loved and perfectly-placed for innovators,” says Tori Critchley, Development Director at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
“While we’re transforming the building to include state-of-the-art co-working spaces, offices, labs, event spaces and meeting rooms, its history certainly won’t be lost.
“SGI have appointed a very experienced design team who will ensure it retains and enhances its historic features. For example, the old library – complete with books – and lecture theatre will be central features. And you’ll still see Latin inscriptions on the walls and school crests in the entrance,” explains Tori.
Unique proposition sparking early interest
While the redevelopment isn’t expected to complete till 2027 there’s already a real buzz of interest from innovators not wanting to miss out on the exclusive opportunity.
“We have more than 50 members of our Innovation Pop Up community already asking about it and we’re anticipating that interest to grow quickly in the coming months,” says Tori.
“SGI is working hard behind the scenes with our partners to design support packages that are unique, bespoke and ready to hit the ground running. It’s a hugely exciting opportunity that we believe is exclusive to Leeds and our doors are open now for anyone wanting an initial conversation about what it could mean for them.”
For more information, please visit https://scarboroughgroup.com/project/old-medical-school-leeds/ or email hello@oldmedicalschool.co.uk
Image credits:
Sideline image 1: istock.com/AreeSarak
Sideline image 2: istock.com/metamorworks
Discover more about Health Innovation Leeds:
Health Innovation Leeds represents the city’s internationally-renowned health and care research and innovation. It is supported by Leeds Academic Health Partnership, one of the biggest partnerships of its kind in the UK. Its members work together to solve the city’s hardest health challenges. For more information, visit www.healthinnovationleeds.com
