Portsmouth Technopole flies high with record occupancy

Portsmouth Technopole, the thriving business hub, has achieved a record 92% office occupancy - fuelled by the new wave of entrepreneurs on the South Coast.

Run by innovation centres specialist Oxford Innovation, the Technopole now has 200 people working for 42 registered firms, with a further 20 virtual office tenants.

The landmark building, at the M275 gateway to the city, is owned by the city council and was officially opened in September 2003 by Mandy Haberman, who invented a hit spill-proof beaker for toddlers.
Senior Centre Manager Stephen Brownlie said: “With an all-time record occupancy of 92%, the Technopole is thriving. This is a success story for the Portsmouth economy, one the city should be proud of.”

He added: “The record occupancy is being fuelled by the new wave of entrepreneurs on the South Coast – the next generation of Sir Richard Bransons and Lord Alan Sugars.

“The buzz and energy here is inspirational, thanks to the dynamic community of entrepreneurs.

“Businesses on site are also trading services with one other, which reinforces internal investment and benefits the local economy through job creation.

“What we’ve seen is the growing trend for start-ups, early-stage firms and outsourced businesses to locate themselves in a supportive, easy-in, easy-out environment, where the package is all-inclusive and highly competitive in price, plus tenants can flex the space to suit their needs.

“Portsmouth Technopole is flying the flag for start-ups and growing businesses which require a professional infrastructure in which to flourish.”

The 20,000 sq ft (1,858 sq m) Technopole, which provides state-of-the-art offices and conference facilities, has seen three new occupiers sign up, with two tenants leasing more space.

The latest firms to move in are MKS Solicitors, Ascend IT Services and 2J Antenna, an antennae solutions provider.

One of the Technopole’s best-known occupants is Iain Morgan, who founded Bladez Toyz following a £100,000 investment win on TV’s Tycoon, the brainchild of millionaire businessman Peter Jones of Dragons Den fame.

Iain, who imports and modifies remote controlled toys, such as helicopters, for the retail market and won a high-profile deal to produce merchandise for the Terminator films trilogy, has taken an extra 560 sq ft (52 sq m) due to expansion.

Another success, Liquid Friday, which provides services within the commercial and public sectors, has signed a further 667 sq ft (62 sq m).

Other occupiers include ships parts supplier Thornton & Davies, software development specialist AMT Data Technologies, skincare products internet trader Venkman Industries, recruitment-to-recruitment agency People Prospect Solutions, UKILaw, Cellularfone, and BDH Accountants.

Portsmouth Technopole is one of 15 innovation centres operated by Oxford Innovation across the country, with the 30,000 sq ft (2,787 sq m) Ocean Village Innovation Centre in Southampton the latest one to be opened.
Similar to the Technopole, it provides offices, conference facilities, office services and a range of business support services for start-ups and early-stage firms, as well as funding gateways and investment networks.

Photo:From left, Portsmouth entrepreneur Iain Morgan, the managing director of remote-controlled toy company Bladez Toyz, and Portsmouth Technopole’s senior centre manager, Stephen Brownlie, mark record occupancy at the business hub.