Modelling the number of client firms needed to support a new Science Park and the spacing between new parks and existing parks with similar themes

Abstract

: UK Science & Technology Parks (STPs) specialised in pharmaceutical areas were compared with universities scoring highly in pharmaceutical research and with firms returning the corresponding Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes at Companies House. There was no correlation between the average distance between STPs and highly scoring universities and no evidence that high-ranking universities can attract specialised firms. The ability of STPs to attract specialised firms was investigated and on-campus STPs (within 2 km of the university) were not significantly more successful or less successful than other STPs. To support a specialised STP, an average of 19.15 firms with a similar speciality was found within a 7.89 km radius. In the UK, STPs that are members of the Science Park Association (UKSPA) exist on average 12 km apart but STPs specialised in pharmaceuticals were much further apart, average 32.65 km and this difference is highly significant.