science parks

• a science park is a group of scientific and technical knowledge based businesses located on a single site
• there are over 100 science parks in the UK, most are associated with universities, enabling them to use research facilities and employ skilled graduates
• science parks may include support services such as financial services and marketing
• around 75,000 people work in the UK science parks
• cambridge is fast emerging as one of the UKs main hubs for hi tech industry. over 1500 IT and biotechnology companies are now based there
• abcam is based in cambridge science park and produces antibodies that are used in the treatment of diseased
• abcam is now worth 1 billion pounds and employs 200 staff with PhDs
• advantage of cambridge location:

  good transport links, including the M11 motorway to london and stansted airport
• advantage of cambridge location:

  graduates from the university provide a highly educated workforce
• advantage of cambridge location:

  there are few traditional industries to compete for space, so rents are lower
• advantage of cambridge location:

  the city offers a good quality of life, with plenty of shops and open spaces
• advantage of cambridge location:

  there are good links between colleges and industry, helping develop new business ideas
• disadvantage of cambridge location:

  the city is overcrowded and congested, making it difficult to drive or park
• disadvantage of cambridge location:

  house prices are high and still rising, making it expensive to live there
• disadvantage of cambridge location:

  road and rail routes need to be improved to speed up connections to other cities apart from london