- New research ranks UK cities and towns for life sciences development potential, creating the first ‘Alchemy Towns’ Index
- Manchester ranks fourth overall, behind the ‘Golden Triangle’ of London, Cambridge and Oxford
Manchester has been ranked the top city for future life sciences development potential outside the Golden Triangle, according to a new study of 40 towns and cities in the UK.
The findings come from the new Alchemy Towns Index, produced by built world communications and research consultancy ING and commissioned by construction and civil engineering company McLaughlin & Harvey. It finds that the future of UK life sciences development could expand beyond the best-known towns and cities as technology changes the market and factors such as access to housing, talent, infrastructure and favourable planning conditions become increasingly important.
The Index ranks 40 UK towns and cities by eight conditions that can support future life sciences development. These include housing availability and affordability, catchment for talent, digital infrastructure, and the efficiency of the local planning regime.
Manchester’s all-round strengths secure top ranking outside the Golden Triangle
Recent market uncertainty has prompted questions about the outlook for UK life sciences property, as occupiers take longer to commit and investors apply greater scrutiny to new schemes.
The Alchemy Towns Index finds that current laboratory activity and take-up offer only part of the picture. Future growth also depends on whether a place can provide access to talent, suitable housing, digital infrastructure, an effective planning system and commercially viable property.
Manchester’s fourth-place ranking reflects its strength across these wider conditions, the report says. It ranks second among the towns and cities in the Index for access to talent and for the availability and affordability of housing for life sciences staff. It is also assessed as being fourth for planning efficiency, sixth for digital infrastructure and seventh for commercial property.
Alan Mackenzie, Lead for Life Sciences and Commercial at McLaughlin & Harvey, said:
“The UK’s leading life sciences locations remain world-class, but scientific excellence will not be enough on its own to determine where the sector grows next. Places that can combine talent with homes, infrastructure and viable development opportunities are ideally placed to accommodate growing businesses and attract investment.”
The research was informed by a roundtable discussion about the future of life sciences development with contributions from leading experts across the UK.
Natalia Gospodinova, Associate Director at Linesight, said:
“Location strategies are becoming increasingly important, with organisations looking beyond cost alone to assess long-term growth potential. Access to skilled talent, supportive local policies, and a business environment that encourages investment are key considerations. The most attractive locations also offer a strong return on investment, the capacity to scale, a smooth and predictable planning process, reliable utility infrastructure, and the availability of suitable land and development sites.”