LCR In a Day Charity Run

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We’re proud to announce a bold and inspiring fundraising challenge led by our CEO, Colin Sinclair, who will run 50 miles across all six boroughs of the Liverpool City Region in just one day.

Taking place on Friday, 5 September 2025, the run aims to raise vital funds for six incredible local charities, each one making a real difference in its community.

Our chosen charities are:

  • Home-Start UK, Knowsley – Supports struggling families that are having difficulties across the borough.
  • Ykids Limited, Sefton – Children’s charity making a difference to the lives of children and young people in Bootle.
  • Stick ‘n’ Step, Halton – Enabling, inspiring and supporting children with cerebral palsy and their families.
  • Centre 56, Liverpool – A domestic abuse nursery, supporting families who have experienced abuse or who are in crisis.
  • St Helens Young Carers, St Helens – Supporting young carers across the borough to help reduce the negative impact of their caring role.
  • Claire House Children’s Hospice, Wirral – Helping seriously and terminally ill children make the most of the time they have however long or short that may be.

This ambitious effort is a natural extension of KQ Liverpool’s mission to drive inclusive innovation and improve lives across the City Region. As the force behind the KQ Futures programme, funded by the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone, part of the UK Government’s Investment Zone programme, KQ Liverpool is already creating opportunities and raising aspirations for children and young people across the region.

Now, Colin Sinclair is taking that commitment a step further. The “LCR in a Day” challenge will see him cover 50 miles in a single day, crossing all six boroughs and raising funds for charities that provide life-changing support across the region.

The initiative is a call to action for the entire Liverpool City Region to rally behind a shared mission of impact and community. Everyone is invited to get involved, whether by making a donation, contributing a raffle prize, or spreading the word across social and professional networks. Donations can be made via the LCR In a Day Give Wheel donation page, and every pound raised will go directly to the charities.

With just six weeks to train, Colin is embracing the challenge wholeheartedly and counting on the support of the region to help make a meaningful difference. A detailed route map will be released soon on KQ Liverpool’s social media channels, where updates and progress will also be shared in the lead-up to the event.

Landmark investment set to transform Liverpool’s Fabric District

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UPDATED POST

Liverpool is investing in its future – with a transformational scheme at the heart of the city’s emerging Fabric District.

A £3.4m Section 106 investment – the largest of its kind this century – has been approved by Liverpool City Council to kickstart the Monument Place makeover.

Pending Cabinet sign-off, this figure could soon be matched by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (Liverpool City Region Combined Authority), delivering a landmark project between the Knowledge Quarter and Lime Street.

Key features include:
✅ Dedicated bus-priority lanes and signal upgrades
✅ A high-quality public square with rain gardens, seating, and space for events
✅ Enhanced walking and cycling routes connecting to the city’s active travel network

Co-designed with the Fabric District CIC and stakeholders, the scheme merges Metro network improvements with public realm enhancements—all delivered as one contract under a proposed Section 8 Highways Act agreement with LCRCA.

Concept designs by Mott MacDonald and LDA Design are now at RIBA Stage 2, and public consultation has helped shape the next phase.

This project doesn’t just improve infrastructure—it redefines how Liverpool connects, moves, and thrives. A future-facing investment in placemaking, accessibility and climate resilience.

 

ORIGINAL POST ON 14TH JULY

The green light is set to be given for a radical makeover of a major Liverpool corridor thanks to a landmark multi-million pound boost.

Liverpool City Council has approved a £3.4m injection – its biggest Section 106 contribution of the century – to help fund a transformational scheme in the heart of the city’s emerging Fabric District, between the Knowledge Quarter and Lime Street.

And the historic sum could soon be doubled by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) pending approval of the scheme by the Council’s Cabinet.

A report to the Cabinet, tomorrow Tuesday (15 July) is seeking to confirm plans for a redesigned Monument Place, introducing dedicated bus-priority lanes and upgraded traffic signals on London Road – boosting service reliability on routes.

And thanks to the Section 106 funding, made up of monies collected from developments in the area and the match-funded LCRCA contribution, Monument Place will also be transformed into a high-quality district square with new paving, landscaping, rain gardens, seating and an event space – strengthening the Fabric District’s identity.

High-quality walking and cycling connections into Liverpool’s wider active-travel network will also be included. The funding and cabinet report comes as a public consultation on the scheme has been completed. Following the consultation, detailed designs will now be developed in collaboration with stakeholders.

The ambitious project combines the Metro network improvements with the Monument Place public realm works, in a partnership between the Council and LCRCA.

To enable this joined-up delivery, Cabinet is set to approve a Section 8 Highways Act 1980 agreement granting LCRCA the powers to carry out highway improvements from Lime Street to Low Hill.

Concept designs, developed jointly by Mott MacDonald and LDA Design, are now at RIBA Stage 2.

They were produced in collaboration with the Fabric District CIC through a series of stakeholder working group sessions.

The design team has also incorporated and built upon previous engagement undertaken by the Fabric District CIC. Once delivered the scheme would complement plans  to upgrade the St George’s Gateway which connects to this area of the city centre.

Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said:

“Monument Place and the Metro upgrades mark a major turning point for one of Liverpool’s most vital city-centre corridors.

“This project will deliver quicker, cleaner bus services alongside a beautifully reimagined public space that works for everyone – residents, visitors and businesses alike.

“This bold initiative demonstrates how combining smart transport with public realm improvements can fuel growth, cut emissions and create a city that’s easier to move around and healthier to live in.”

Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet member for Economy and Growth, added:

“I’m delighted that we have been able to make such a substantial Section 106 contribution to such a significant scheme.

“Thanks to this unprecedented funding injection we’ll be able to realise this imaginative and creative project, which will help transform the look and feel of the Fabric District and further improve its appeal to new investors.”

Simon O’Brien, Walking and Cycling Commissioner for the Liverpool City Region said:

“These are bold and exciting plans that will transform how people move between Liverpool city centre, the vibrant Fabric District, and surrounding areas.

“Improving walking, cycling, and bus links is about transport and much more – it’s about unlocking the full potential of this part of the city region, making it healthier, more connected, and more accessible for everyone.”

IT’S TIME TO SHINE – AND WE NEED YOUR VOTE!

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We are thrilled to announce that two of our most hard working colleagues have been nominated for the 23rd Annual “Livercool” Awards!

We are delighted to share that our wonderful assistant CEO, Emily Robson, has been given the opportunity to win the ‘Young Entrepreneur and One to Watch of the Year’ award. Emily has been such an asset to KQ Liverpool already and this nomination is a reflection on all of the hard work she puts into the company. Her drive for success has paid off and we would love to see her achieve this award. 

Sally Bloor, Head of Marketing and Communications for Sciontec and KQ Liverpool, has also been nominated for an award, this time for the ‘PR & Communications Personality of the Year’. Sally is always giving maximum effort to help lead the companies’ marketing strategy and campaigns and we are so excited for her to hopefully win the award, because no one deserves it more than she does! 

A number of our innovation district collaborators and stakeholders are featured too, including Natalie Reeves Billing & Alex Cousins for the Animates project, within the ‘Dynamic Duo of the Year 2025’ category, as well as Hope Street Hotel’s Jan Morris, for the ‘Visitor Economy & Hospitality Personality of the Year’ award.

Winners in all categories will be decided through a public vote, taking place over the next couple of months and the nominees will be invited to a lovely awards dinner on 20th November, hosted by Downtown In Business, at the amazing Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Downtown in Business themselves are an award-winning and rapidly expanding organisation, leading growth in the North of England and the West Midlands. They recognise that strong connections are key to helping businesses succeed and their network currently includes over 300 member companies from across the UK, spanning both the public and private sectors.

Voting for the ‘Livercool’ Awards is now open, and you can help Emily and Sally take home the win by voting for them online. They are so deserving of their nominated awards and it would mean the world to them to win the top spot! It only takes a few seconds so please join us and vote now!

Cast your vote here

LCR announce £10m seed fund for small businesses

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Launched today at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s flagship business conference – LCR Talking Business conference – is a £10 million LCR Seed Fund, a bold new initiative to accelerate the growth of innovative early-stage businesses across the Liverpool City Region.

Backed by Mayor Steve Rotheram, this fund is open to all sectors, with a special focus on the region’s key growth areas:

Advanced Manufacturing
Digital & Creative Industries
Health & Life Sciences

On the launch, Mayor Rotheram shared: “This fund is not just about financial returns.
It’s about inclusive growth—supporting our next generation of innovators, job creators, and entrepreneurs to stay, scale and succeed in our region. Because talent is everywhere—but opportunity is not. We’re changing that.”

The LCR Seed Fund is aimed at early stage businesses with world-class products or services in any sector and particularly welcomes applications from LCR’s growth sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Creative, and Health and Life Sciences.

You may already have taken some investment, for example from friends and family, angels, crowdfunding or an incubator, which has got you started and proved your business model, so you are ready for the next stage.  The LCR Seed Fund can provide that vital finance to take you to Series A and B funding. It can be part of a larger funding round.”

Apply here – https://growthplatform.org/liverpool-city-region-seed-fund/

LSTM Vice-Chancellor Professor David Lalloo recognised in King’s Birthday Honours for services to global health

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Professor David Lalloo, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, has been appointed Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) in The King’s Birthday Honours List(link is external)(opens in a new tab).  

Professor Lalloo has been recognised for services to Global Health and International Development, and leadership in Higher Education.

The Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a UK national honour that recognises service in a foreign country, or in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

The King’s Birthday Honours list recognises the achievements and service of people across the UK, from all walks of life.

Over thirty years, Professor Lalloo has been a leading figure in infectious disease research and global health, and his work is widely recognised as delivering a positive impact on disadvantaged communities across the globe.

Professor Lalloo said: “I am delighted and privileged to receive this honour and do so on behalf of LSTM and the scientific research and global health communities whose tireless commitment and skill help to build healthier lives across the world.

“Global health research and education are collective endeavours, underpinned by trusted, equitable partnerships in countries most affected by the burden of disease. This award would not have occurred without the advice, support and collaboration of so many inspirational colleagues.”

Professor Lalloo has led LSTM since 2019 and was named as its first Vice-Chancellor last year. He is also an Honorary Consultant at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and maintains an active research portfolio in HIV related infections, snakebite and malaria.

He has held significant national and international advisory roles and his research has influenced WHO treatment guidelines, with his work on snake envenoming over three decades contributing to the recognition of snakebite as a neglected tropical disease. In 2024, he was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

During his tenure as LSTM head, LSTM ranked second for impact in its first solo REF submission, was nominated for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards and received a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize. He has overseen a huge capital redevelopment, including as a key part of the team to deliver the groundbreaking CREATOR medical research and training facility at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme.

Jim McKenna, Chair of the Board of Trustees at LSTM, said: “This award is richly deserved. David is an inspirational leader, not just at LSTM but on a global stage, dedicating his career to improving the health and life chances for some of the world’s poorest communities.

“Over three decades, David has led groundbreaking research, provided strategic counsel to governments in moments of national crisis, and mentored the next generation of clinicians, scientists and researchers.

“His work has had a real impact, and on behalf of LSTM’s Board I would like to congratulate him for this achievement.”

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral upgraded to Grade I listed status

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The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has awarded The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool Grade I listed status, following advice from Historic England. The cathedral, previously Grade II* listed, is now nationally recognised as a building of the highest architectural and historical interest.

Built between 1962 and 1967, the cathedral represents the greatest Roman Catholic post-war architectural commission in Britain. It was built over an earlier Sir Edwin Lutyens-designed crypt, intended to be part of a grand classical-style Catholic cathedral in Liverpool that began in the 1930s, but construction was halted, largely due to financial constraints and the outbreak of the Second World War.

The upgrade of the cathedral’s listing status reflects a deeper understanding of Sir Frederick Gibberd’s architectural vision and the cathedral’s significance as an international example of progressive Roman Catholic architecture during the mid-20th century.

A revolution in cathedral design

The cathedral’s revolutionary design features make it an architectural landmark of the highest order. Gibberd’s centralised plan with a unified worship space was unprecedented in British cathedral design, allowing congregations to participate more fully in the visual drama of the Mass.

The striking central lantern or ‘corona’ filled with coloured glass by John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens uses an innovative technique of cementing glass with epoxy resin pre-cast within tracery of thin concrete ribs – a method invented specifically for this building.

The cathedral also features numerous artistic collaborations of exceptional quality, including William Mitchell’s Evangelist entrance doors and carving to the bell tower, Elizabeth Frink’s crucifix, David Atkins’ geometrical floor pattern, Ceri Richards’ work in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and coloured glass by Margaret Traherne in multiple chapels.

This fusion of modern architecture with fine art epitomises the progressive shift following the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), which emphasised the full, conscious, and active participation of the congregation in Catholic worship.

Hopwood Hall Chapel listing enhancement

Alongside this upgrade, Historic England has enhanced the existing Grade II listing for Hopwood Hall Chapel in Middleton, Greater Manchester. Built in 1964-1965 to Gibberd’s designs and executed by Reynolds and Scott, this smaller chapel shares design features with its more famous Liverpool counterpart, including a centralised sanctuary lit by a lantern tower of concrete and coloured glass.

Sir Frederick Gibberd

Sir Frederick Gibberd (1908-1984), who was knighted in 1967, was a leading figure in the emergence of Modern architecture in Britain. He made major contributions to Britain’s post-war reconstruction and civic design, including Harlow New Town, the first Heathrow terminal buildings, and several power stations.

Sarah Charlesworth, Historic England’s Listing Team Leader North, said:

“Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral transformed British cathedral design with its revolutionary centralised plan, representing a radical departure from traditional designs. Sir Frederick Gibberd’s masterpiece, built upon Lutyens’ earlier crypt, showcases extraordinary artistic collaboration and stands as one of Britain’s most significant post-war architectural achievements.”

Archbishop John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool, said:

“I welcome the announcement that Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King has been recognised as a Grade I listed building. It commands the Liverpool skyline and is visible for miles around. The building has been described as ‘the soul of the city’ and brings hope to thousands who visit each year. The colours of the stained glass and revolutionary architectural style help raise their minds and hearts beyond this world to the transcendent and to God.

It is very significant that the cathedral has been recognised during the Jubilee Year which has the theme ‘pilgrims of hope’. I hope the upgraded listed status allows us to welcome even more pilgrims to our striking Mother Church.

I thank all who have contributed to the upkeep and repair of the building for over 60 years and pray that we may care nationally for this building of the highest architectural and historical interest.”

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: 

“Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral’s Grade I status honours Sir Frederick Gibberd’s architectural brilliance and recognises his visionary design, which created a landmark that continues to inspire people. Liverpool’s iconic Cathedral is a truly remarkable and much-loved building which deserves to be protected so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Kim Johnson MP for Liverpool Riverside said:

“I’m absolutely delighted that the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King has been awarded Grade I listed status. As a world-renowned and instantly recognisable symbol of Liverpool, it is deeply embedded in our city’s identity. This recognition rightly honours its architectural significance and the prominent place it holds in our skyline – a true jewel in Liverpool’s crown.”

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:

“Liverpool is a city with a proud architectural and cultural heritage, and the Metropolitan Cathedral is one of its most iconic landmarks. The bold, modern design broke new ground and has become a beacon of faith, hope and innovation, not just for our region but across the world.

“This Grade I listing rightly recognises its architectural brilliance and enduring importance to the Liverpool City Region’s identity. It’s a welcome and well-deserved honour.

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, said:

“The elevation of the Metropolitan Cathedral to Grade I listed status is a proud moment for Liverpool. This recognition not only honours a masterpiece of modern architecture but also celebrates the spirit of innovation and resilience that epitomises our city. The cathedral stands as a beacon of creativity, community, hope and faith and is a powerful symbol of Liverpool’s cultural and architectural legacy.”

Catherine Croft, Director of the Twentieth Century Society, said:

“The ‘Wigwam’ or ‘The Mersey Funnel’, as it’s affectionately known among locals, is unique in world architecture and has long been a powerful homecoming beacon for Liverpudlians.

Liverpool now rightly has two magnificent Grade I listed cathedrals which together demonstrate just how varied, exciting, and emotionally uplifting twentieth century architecture can be.

A great vessel of post-war glass, sculpture and design, the listing upgrade will help ensure the modernist cathedral’s careful long-term conservation and appreciation by all who visit – to worship or just to marvel.”

The Missing Pieces Project: Add your information about Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Hopwood Hall Chapel

We’d love you to add your story about Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Hopwood Hall Chapel to the Missing Pieces Project. It could be a photo or something you know about the listed building. You can add photos, drawings, audio, film, or text.

Everything you add is an important piece of the picture. And the more pieces of the picture we have, the better we can celebrate and protect what makes these places special.

Through the Missing Pieces Project, Historic England invites everyone to discover the listed places on their doorstep and contribute their own unique piece to the picture by adding photos, videos, stories and memories on the National Heritage List for England.

Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub opens – new outpatient centre

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The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has opened a new dedicated outpatient facility – known as Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub – close to its main hospital in Liverpool and Edge Lane / Mount Vernon Road.

Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub will provide a wide range of outpatient services including clinics and group pre-assessment sessions in comfortable surroundings away from a busy hospital setting. Patients attending renal cancer and skin cancer clinics were the first to visit the new hub, which opened to patients on Tuesday 3rd June. It means that a number of clinics can move from Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool into the new health hub. These clinics will continue to be run by the same specialist teams from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and patients will received the same expert care.

Patients whose clinic appointments are moving to Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub will be contacted in advance. They will be sent information about the new health hub explaining how to get there, along with a map. The health hub has some parking on site for Blue Badge holders, along with drop-off facilities. The health hub is also very close to Paddington Village Car Park and is conveniently located for bus routes.

The new health hub’s address is:

Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub
2 Mason Street
Edge Hill
Liverpool
L7 3EW (Google Maps)

The building is also home to Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre, which is on the ground floor. Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre is a separate NHS service providing easier access to tests and scans for people referred by their GPs, hospitals or other health professionals.

Author and robot dog take children’s book on tour of Liverpool City Region schools

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A unique children’s innovation book set in Liverpool is the focus of a new roadshow visiting the city region’s primary schools.

 

The Animates: Learning in Liverpool, written in partnership with Connected Places Catapult,  follows the adventures of six animal creatures who crash land in Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) and must explore a range of different technologies around the innovation district in order to repair their ship and return home, aided by Splodge the robot dog. A copy of the book, accompanied by bespoke lesson plans, was delivered to every primary school in the city region at the end of last year.

 

Now, Liverpool-based author Natalie Reeves Billing is embarking on the interactive showcase tour around Liverpool City Region, aiming to reinforce the central ambition of the book by inspiring young minds about the types of innovations and careers pathways open to them. 

 

The roadshow sessions got underway this week at Forefield Infant School in Crosby, featuring a reading by Natalie and co-host Jude Lennon,  robot dog demonstrations from the Manufacturing Technology Centre and LJMU School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, rocket ship building workshops and a sing-along to the newly-created Animates theme tune.

 

The Animates: Learning in Liverpool is part of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool’s KQ Futures programme, which is funded by the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone, part of the UK Government’s Investment Zone programme. The book was devised with support from CBRE, Kier, Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, Lloyds, Morgan Sindall and Sciontec. 

 

Rachel Newman, inclusive innovation officer at KQ Liverpool, said: “When we launched the book last year, it was an instant hit with pupils and teachers alike, and we were thrilled to provide all local schools with a copy. The roadshow feels like a natural extension of that work – finding new, creative ways to engage with young people and open their minds to the endless opportunities for innovation careers here in their home city.”

 

Natalie Reeves Billing, said: “The Animates is one of my most cherished projects. Children each have their own special talents and gifts, and the purpose of this book is to show them how their own skills might fit within the innovation sector.  It is wonderful to see the children engaging so enthusiastically with the story and enjoying our new theme song and hopefully the session has made a small but lasting impact on their future outlook.” 

 

Mark Hall, head of Year 1 at Forefield Junior School, said: “It’s never too early to introduce young minds to concepts around science or technology, and we want to inspire them to explore a broad range of ideas and opportunities. The Animates book is a great way to do this and reinforce the fact they can build impressive skills and careers within a few miles of where they live. The robot dog was also a very popular visitor!”

 

Cllr Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Innovation said: “This is such an inspiring initiative. Through the Animates Roadshow, we’re not only igniting young imaginations, but we are also showing our young people that the world of science, technology, and creativity is right on their doorstep. By embedding innovation into education, we are equipping the next generation with the skills, confidence, and curiosity to shape our Liverpool City Region.”

 

Collaboration between KQ Liverpool and Kensington Fields Community Association

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Innovation district organisations supports local charity food provision 

Kensington Fields Community Association (KFCA) provides vital services to the residents of one of the country’s most deprived wards.

The centre provides a much-needed programme of activities and weekly classes, runs social groups, and offers financial and well-being advice to keep people connected and feeling supported. Another key element of this support is related to food provision, enabling the local community to access affordable and good-quality food and groceries through the KFCA pantry. 

Helen Ball, Business Development Manager at KFCA, said:

“Our pantry is open to everyone in Kenny, and we provide emergency food support in times of crisis, run family food nights, and older and vulnerable persons lunch clubs to help make sure no one in our community goes hungry.

“We are also proud to help educate people around healthy eating with our cookery classes for both kids and adults, and by offering relaxing growing activities in the centre’s community allotment.”

To run the KFCA pantry, the charity relies on grants from charitable bodies, which are becoming increasingly harder to secure meaning they are also seeking donations from caring individuals and local organisations. 

Claire Kidman, Head of Partnerships at KQ Liverpool, added:

“We are pleased to announce that KQ Liverpool will be supporting the Kensington Fields Community Association by providing pantry donation points at a number of sites across our innovation district. 

“This initiative aligns with our 2040 Vision, and it’s important to us that we support the communities around us. It’s especially meaningful to know that our contributions will directly benefit those in need within our local area.”

The first donation points are already located in two of KQ Liverpool’s spin-out development company Sciontec’s innovation centres at Liverpool Science Park (iC1 Entrance Lounge and iC2 Entrance Lounge) with the next location being CENTRAL TECH (Ground floor Atrium).

KQ Liverpool would like to encourage businesses, stakeholders, and colleagues to contribute to this collection, which will be ongoing throughout the year. 

We would especially welcome any donations of items from the list below:

  • Tinned meat
  • Tinned tuna
  • Veg / Tomato Soup – Tinned or packet
  • Cereals
  • Sanitary products
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Beans 
  • Sugar

For further information about the Kensington Fields Community Association, please visit their website.

Sciontec launches CENTRAL TECH with more than 50% pre-lets

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Sciontec has now secured pre-let agreements with seven innovation organisations at CENTRAL TECH on Copperas Hill, which joined its portfolio of innovation assets in March. The building officially launches today, as part of the LCR Innovation Investment Fortnight (IIF) programme.

Among those, Bellrock, the property disrupter,  is creating a head office for their market leading IWMS product Concerto, which will take a 2,635 sq ft office on the building’s third floor, complete with breakout spaces, kitchen and a private terrace overlooking the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool innovation district.

AI-enabled platform Harker, which helps homelessness charities to manage their data more effectively to demonstrate their social impact and provide more personalised support, has taken two new first floor spaces at CENTRAL TECH, which will also accommodate software development and digital services firm Jamescape.

The Royal Academy of Engineering, which creates and leads a community of outstanding experts and innovators to engineer better lives, is launching their new ‘Enterprise Hub Liverpool’ within the four-storey building.

Labman, which specialises in laboratory automation hardware and software, occupies an all-inclusive space on the second floor of CENTRAL TECH, which stands adjacent to LJMU’s Student Life and Sport buildings.

Engineering firm DefProc, which works with innovators to help develop early stage ideas into market-ready products, is returning to occupy an 823 sq ft electronics lab and workspace on the ground floor of the building, having previously relocated to Sciontec’s Liverpool Science Park four years ago.

Innovation investment consultancy LYVA Labs is relocating its headquarters to a 750 sq ft space on the first floor as it aims to further increase its engagement with start-ups, corporates, higher education institutions, research technology organisations, investors and public funders.

Sciontec has also relocated its team to the building, occupying a 600 sq ft ground floor space in the innovation district’s newest development.

CENTRAL TECH also contains a communal roof terrace, events space, breakout areas and kitchenettes, while customers have access to discounted gym membership at the LJMU Sport building and to the Academic Support and Knowledge (ASK) programme, connecting them to a specialist team or expert at the University of Liverpool or Liverpool John Moores University.

Leanne Katsande, head of commercial at Sciontec, said:

“The arrival of CENTRAL TECH has created a real buzz among the city region’s innovation community and we have been inundated with enquiries over the past few weeks.

“CENTRAL TECH’s location, adjacent to the city’s main railway stations and within the KQ Liverpool innovation district, combined with our Sciontec AI all-inclusive packages on the first three floors and ultrafast internet connectivity through LCR Connect, means it is an easy choice for a lot of innovation-led organisations.

“Thankfully, we’ve been able to move quickly with a number of enquiries and have pre-let more than 50% of the building already. We remain firmly in discussions with several other interested parties and we’ll continue to provide tours of our new facility up to and after it opens on 14 May, so please do get in touch if you’d like to see what’s on offer.”

Adam Smith, chief technology officer at Concerto, said:

“The tech scene in Liverpool is buzzing, and we’re really proud to be part of that momentum. We’ve already started chatting with other companies about hosting meet-ups in our space but our new office won’t just be a workspace, it’ll be a bit of a showcase for what intelligent buildings can offer owner-occupiers, and we’re looking forward to showing our customers what’s possible.”

Summing up, Colin Sinclair, CEO of KQ Liverpool and Sciontec, said:

“We are delighted to be launching CENTRAL TECH on LJMU’s Student Life Campus, adding more much needed innovation space to Sciontec’s thriving portfolio of science and tech buildings.

“Demand for CENTRAL TECH has already been unprecedented showing that Liverpool City Region is riding a wave of innovation. The building perfectly complements Liverpool Science Park and Sciontec AI at The Spine and is further growing our community of start ups, spin outs and SMEs.”

For further information, please contact enquiries@sciontec.co.uk, or visit https://sciontec.co.uk/locations/central-tech/