UKSPA Directory 2017 2017-18 | Page 220

220 England | Full Member UKSPA Directory 2017 Sheffield Technology Parks were part of the economic regeneration strategy for the City Sheffield Technology Parks L ocati on Cooper Buildings Arundel Street Sheffield S1 2NS C ontact detai l s Tom Wolfenden Manager T: 0114 22 11 800 E: [email protected] www.shefftechparks.com At Sheffield Technology Parks, our core objective is to accommodate early-stage small and medium-sized technology and digital focused businesses. Housing these individuals and companies on the journey through pre-start, start-up, and expansion, we provide access to a wide network within the local community. Situated at the heart of the City’s Cultural Industries Quarter, Sheffield Technology Parks are surrounded by a thriving business environment with over 100 SME creative, tech and digital firms. We offer small and medium sized workshops and offices on flexible terms, with sizes ranging from 200 sq ft to 1,300 sq ft. Sheffield Science and Technology Parks was opened in 1988 as part of the economic regeneration strategy for the City in the face of post-industrial decline. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s the Technology Parks built a strong reputation as the leading place to start a business, with access to University and Business networks, business support and mentoring. Service is k e y to communit y Now, 30 years on, the Technology Parks house some of the region’s most innovative businesses as well as UK bases for international technology companies. Our service is key to this – building a friendly and welcoming environment and introducing relevant individuals to each other to seek out opportunities. We foster collaboration by offering free meeting spaces to tenant businesses working with each other, providing neutral space away from their regular offices. Free coffee throughout the day fuels the ideas, and monthly social events allow our clients to meet outside of the work environment. Non-profit business Sheffield Technology Parks is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Our Board consists of a wide base of local professionals from legal, academic, corporate and tenant businesses and local council representation. These Directors volunteer their skillsets so we can make the Technology Parks experience the very best for our clients. Our premises are leased from the City Council on a long term peppercorn basis offering us the opportunity to provide low cost accommodation for burgeoning businesses. As we approach 30 years since our opening, we feel we are a strong case study for public sector investment in buildings for economic growth. Being an independent organisation frees us from