Choosing the right lab space to rent is a critical decision for any science or technology business. Beyond the floorplan and price, it’s about technical capability, future flexibility, and whether the environment helps or hinders progress.

Sci-Tech Daresbury has become a preferred base for science and technology companies in the UK, offering purpose-built laboratories, flexible leasing, and a campus designed to support innovation. As one of the top destinations for laboratory space to rent in the UK, it combines technical readiness with an environment that makes long-term growth possible.

In this blog, we explore the practical reasons why businesses choose to locate here — from lab infrastructure that supports immediate use, to the wider ecosystem that helps teams collaborate, grow, and succeed.

What makes Sci‑Tech Daresbury’s lab space different?

Labs at Sci-Tech Daresbury are designed for immediate use, with features like pre-installed gas lines, chemical waste systems, reinforced floors, and perimeter trunking for power and data. These technical essentials are already in place, so teams can move in quickly, meet compliance standards, and start research without costly delays or modifications.

Lab Facilities That Are Ready for Work

Labs at Sci-Tech Daresbury are designed to help science happen faster and more safely. Each one comes with built-in features that make it easier for teams to hit the ground running.  In the sections that follow, we take a closer look at the practical science facilities built into each lab and how they support day-to-day scientific research.

High-spec laboratory features for Scientific Research

Air handling systems create a net inward flow, helping to contain chemical smells and protect your team without additional engineering work. Fume cupboards can be connected directly to roof-mounted extract systems, so you don’t need to retrofit expensive ventilation from scratch. This not only supports compliance with health and safety standards, but also gives peace of mind when handling volatile substances.

Infrastructure That Supports Compliance and Productivity

Gas, compressed air, and nitrogen supplies are already plumbed in, meaning researchers can move straight into experimental work without costly utility upgrades. With hot and cold water for handwashing and a dedicated lab water supply from a break tank, hygiene and workflow are both supported from day one.

The labs are equipped to handle the power and data demands of modern science. With both single-phase and three-phase electricity available, it’s easier to install specialist instruments without additional upgrades. High-speed broadband is cabled directly into each space, supporting connected devices and data-intensive work from the off.

Storage and Sustainability Designed In

Companies working with chemicals or consumables benefit from shared on-site storage for gas bottles, hazardous waste, and dry goods. This removes the need to source or manage external facilities, making day-to-day operations more efficient. 

Chemical waste is handled through dedicated drainage systems connected to secure disposal tanks, helping businesses meet compliance standards without investing in custom infrastructure. On-site recycling points for WEEE, batteries, and glass, as well as biological waste, also support sustainability goals and reduce the admin burden often tied to waste management.

Shared Equipment to Reduce Costs and Setup Time

Shared facilities are available too. For younger companies or leaner teams, access to glassware washers, autoclaves, -82°C freezers, and ice machines helps keep costs down while maintaining professional standards. Rather than investing in everything upfront, businesses can access what they need when they need it, freeing up capital for growth.

Leasing Lab Space with Flexibility in Mind

One of the biggest risks in finding lab space is signing up for something that no longer fits six or twelve months later. Sci-Tech Daresbury solves this with flexible leasing, allowing tenants to scale up or adjust as their projects evolve.

Early-stage companies can secure smaller spaces with short-term arrangements, gaining the benefits of science parks for start-ups without long-term risk. If things take off, there’s no need to move sites. The campus includes a range of lab sizes, which allows businesses to grow in place without disrupting their teams or research. 

Our flexible approach to laboratory rental makes it easier to focus on R&D and delivery while the workspace adapts around changing project or funding cycles. Check out our brochure to explore available lab for rent options.

Practical Support Beyond the Lab Door

Running a lab also means managing people, equipment, and day-to-day logistics. Sci-Tech Daresbury is set up to take care of those things in the background, so teams can focus on the work that matters.

Secure Lab Access and Site Infrastructure

The site is protected by a mix of CCTV, controlled access, and onsite personnel, offering a secure and reliable setting for lab operations. That’s especially valuable for companies handling sensitive samples, proprietary data, or high-value equipment.

Designed for Specialist Equipment and Deliveries

For businesses dealing with specialist instruments or deliveries, the campus layout is a practical advantage. Accessible labs on the ground floor have reinforced slabs that can take the weight of lab kit or even small forklifts. The site includes a dedicated loading bay, and the car park accommodates articulated vehicles. It’s easy to move in, set up, and keep goods moving without delay.

On-Site Meeting and Collaboration Spaces

Meetings and presentations are catered for too. Boardrooms and breakout spaces are available with video conferencing and AV systems already installed. That means investor meetings, cross-site collaboration, or client briefings can all happen on site, without the need to hire off-campus venues.

Access to Research Networks and Funding Support

In addition to physical infrastructure, companies benefit from a wide range of support through connections with regional universities and national innovation networks. These relationships open the door to collaborative R&D, knowledge exchange, access to specialist facilities and academic expertise, and joint funding opportunities. 

They also play a key role in talent development, giving businesses access to graduate and postgraduate recruits from leading science and engineering programmes. Together, these networks help companies secure funding, build capabilities, and accelerate long-term growth.

A Campus That Works for Science

Sci-Tech Daresbury brings together more than 160 science and technology companies in a setting designed for collaboration as much as research. The campus combines high-spec lab infrastructure with a practical working environment, and its buildings are BREEAM-certified, reflecting a commitment to sustainable design and operational efficiency. It’s a place where teams can focus, share ideas, and build lasting partnerships.

Located between Manchester and Liverpool, Sci-Tech Daresbury sits at the heart of a region with six major research universities. As well as providing access to a vast network of expertise for collaborative research, it also gives businesses the opportunity to hire qualified talent. With so many institutions nearby, companies can plug into a wide range of expertise and support, all without the overheads or disruption of a city centre base.

Beyond work, the campus also supports the wellbeing and daily needs of your team. On-site gym, fitness activities, special interest groups, cafe, and social spaces help staff settle in quickly, while networking events and informal meetups create space for knowledge sharing and community building.

This combination of connectivity, facilities, and everyday comfort helps businesses not only start well but continue to grow in a sustainable, people-focused environment.

What Tenants Really Think

For many companies, the decision to move to Sci-Tech Daresbury goes beyond lab specifications or location. It’s about the long-term environment they want to build their work within.

Croda, a global leader in sustainable personal care and healthcare ingredients, chose Techspace One as the base for its Long Term Innovation team in 2020 and haven’t looked back.

On moving to campus, Dr Surinder Chahal, Global Vice President for Long Term Innovation in Personal Care, explained what attracted them to the site:

“The infrastructure and community at Sci-Tech Daresbury was a big attraction in our decision to move to the campus. It’s a highly prestigious site with an excellent track record in scientific endeavour across multiple disciplines and has one of the most advanced computing and data capabilities in the UK.”

That combination of physical capability and intellectual community is echoed by others on campus. LivFul, a health technology company focused on improving access to effective healthcare solutions globally, established a presence at Sci-Tech Daresbury to support its UK and European operations. 

With a mission to accelerate the delivery of life-improving products, LivFul requires access to specialist lab facilities, regulatory expertise, and a strong innovation network. 

When asked about collaboration on site, John Manwell, Chief Operations Officer at LivFul said:

“Sci-Tech Daresbury is connected to the infrastructure of the region, so not just the universities, but also STFC and their facilities. We have labs within STFC and we’ve worked with quality control and consultants based on site.”

These examples show how companies at Sci-Tech Daresbury are using the site’s technical capabilities and collaborative setting to move their work forward. The shared sense of purpose on campus creates space for practical collaboration, where access to the right people and tools often leads to ideas moving faster and further than they would in isolation.

Is Sci-Tech Daresbury the Right Fit for You?

If your business depends on infrastructure, flexibility, and the ability to do real science from day one, then Sci-Tech Daresbury is worth serious consideration. Every part of the lab environment has been set up to remove barriers to doing high-quality scientific work, from infrastructure and layout to the support available on site.