Kent Science Park

Science matters

Brief

• Raise Kent Science Park’s profile as an important regional centre for knowledge-based businesses, especially those involved in environmental technologies, life sciences and ICT.
• Assist the park, located near Sittingbourne, in achieving its expansion plans including a £15-20 million investment and opportunity to create 500 new jobs.
• Emphasise the role of the science park as integral to the economic success of the Thames Gateway, Kent and Swale, thanks to its 80 businesses and the 1,400 employees on site.

Results and highlights

• Maxim worked closely with the park’s management team and LaSalle Investment Management, to help it secure planning permission from Swale Borough Council for a four hectare (10 acres) expansion and the provision of a further 12,000m2 (129,170ft2) of business floorspace, to create a home for an extra 500 employees.
• During the planning process, Maxim undertook all the community engagement activity, including: preparing briefings for the local authority and community groups, organising and event managing public meetings and establishing a consultation website, as well as working closely with the local press.
• Announcing new arrivals and expansions was a key part of the park's profile raising, as well as hosting senior press visits and developing a series of case studies to highlight the work of tenants in tackling key challenges, for example healthcare and climate change.
• Important projects included the visit of the Prime Minister to the park, the opening of the Kent Science Resource Centre and ‘Park Life’, a series of profiles of the park’s tenants for BBC South East Today.
• The park is now synonymous with science, technology and the future prosperity and economic development of Kent and the Thames Gateway.