Boost for Blackburn medical park
11:42am Monday 26th October 2009 in Search
STEVE HOYLE
A NEW ‘health hub’ could turn East Lancashire into a regional leader in the bio-medical sector, it is hoped.
Regeneration leaders have teamed up with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to move the development from Preston to the Medi Knowledge Park, in Shadsworth, Blackburn.
Already two firms are in talks about relocating their businesses to East Lancashire from elsewhere in the country.
And bosses hope the site will help support and boost the area’s established manufacturing sector.
Companies that move to the knowledge park will get unrivalled access to medical sector experts from UCLan, and across the North West, through regular surgeries.
And they will also be just a stone’s throw away from the Royal Blackburn Hospital and NHS Blackburn with Darwen, putting them in pole position to bid for medical contracts.
Steve Hoyle, director of East Lancashire business support organisation No Limits, said: “The medical sector is one of the key growth sectors identified as being important to the future economy of Pennine Lancashire.
“We have some excellent manufacturing companies here supplying hospitals and health professionals with a wide range of equipment, devices and services.
“As demand grows on the health and care services, the Pennine Lancashire economy can benefit through keeping at the leading edge of innovation and development in new products and facilities.”
The Medi Knowledge Park is part of Evolution Park, a partnership between developers St Modwen and Blackburn with Darwen Council which could eventually support more than 1,000 high-tech and bio-medical jobs.
Health tech hub manager Dawn Oliver said: “I think this move is very important for East Lancashire. This shows that we can have our own strong sector and it will put companies on the map.”
