When innovation businesses seek to recruit the finest talent, one of the greatest barriers to movement can be transport infrastructure. Firms based in remote business parks or out-of-town industrial estates can struggle to attract people, especially with the advent of hybrid working environments making them even less likely to commit to arduous journeys.
By basing themselves in a more urban setting, science and tech businesses can give themselves a competitive advantage. Places to shop, eat and drink, alongside a range of sustainable and easily accessible public transport options, create a much brighter proposition for future team members.
Central to everything
Urban innovation districts such as Knowledge Quarter Liverpool not only have excellent transport links, but they are also brimming with opportunities to collaborate with peer organisations in industry, academia and the public sector, within a range of innovation buildings all set in Liverpool city centre.
Among those is CENTRAL TECH, Sciontec’s new tech hub located adjacent to Liverpool Lime Street station, allowing direct connections to London and across the UK, making it so much easier to reach clients, partners and investors.
It is also a few minutes’ walk to Liverpool Central station and the Merseyrail network, which connects to desirable commuter locations across the Liverpool City Region, from Southport to Sefton Park, or West Kirby to Woolton. Moreover, a comprehensive bus network also runs through the city centre, stopping within a few minutes’ walk from CENTRAL TECH, while multiple parking areas are also within easy reach.
Amplifying accessibility
Clearly, if an area can attract the best talent, it has a greater chance of achieving economic growth. While modern workspaces and cutting-edge technology are clearly essential, accessibility is also crucial, and what better way to ensure accessibility than proximity to a major train station?
Lime Street, like any major urban station, acts like a central artery pumping in talent from a wide geographical area. It makes sense therefore to locate a tech hub like CENTRAL TECH nearby, instantly expanding the potential talent pool available to occupiers in the building from areas such as Manchester, Warrington, Chester, and across the North West.
With a more connected transport link between Liverpool and Manchester becoming a vocal point for future development, Sciontec is serving both cities with robust connectivity across the North West, for office space, meeting rooms and events space.
Workforce wellbeing
Long and arduous commutes can be a real productivity killer. Having a nearby train station and other connected transport routes can minimise travel time and reduce commuter stress, allowing employees to arrive refreshed and ready to innovate.
As train stations attract footfall, this in turn helps to support and sustain cafes and restaurants, expanding the range of options available to staff at various points in the day.
Of course, train travel is also more environmentally sustainable and helps to reduce the individual’s and the company’s carbon footprint.
Broadening Collaboration & Investment
Better-connected travel facilitates seamless collaboration with organisations and partners in other cities, which is especially helpful for multi-site organisations. While video calls and software can carry some of the burden, sometimes there is no substitute for being in the same space as a colleague or peer to foster knowledge-sharing and cross-pollination of ideas.
A range of travel options also supports successful events. If a business is hosting conferences, workshops or networking events, it becomes much easier if you have a hub that is easily accessible by public transport, especially in busy urban centres. With more connection to North West businesses, Sciontec is offering a more connected location for tech companies wanting to collaborate more within the region.
For many of the reasons above, investors are naturally drawn to locations with strong infrastructure and accessibility. A well-connected Knowledge Quarter signals a commitment to growth and innovation, making it an attractive destination for investment.
In conclusion, the proximity of tech hubs to transport infrastructure is not just a matter of convenience; it’s a strategic imperative. Within the Knowledge Quarter, and at buildings like CENTRAL TECH, it’s a vital ingredient to maximising the potential of innovation. All aboard for a brighter, more connected future!
