A £1.7bn innovation district in the heart of Manchester has opened its doors, unveiling its new name, Sister. This district, a joint project between The University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech, signifies a significant synergy between industry and academia.
Formerly known as ID Manchester, Sister embodies the spirit of collaboration and problem-solving through the union of academic knowledge and industrial expertise. The district aims to transform the university’s former North campus into a globally competitive innovation hub spanning four million square feet. This transformation elevates Manchester’s status as a national centre for science and technology.
Sister is set to revolutionise several sectors, including digital technology, health innovation, biotechnology, advanced materials, and manufacturing. It offers state-of-the-art facilities that bring early-stage, high-growth businesses together with investors, fostering a collaborative ecosystem beneficial to both UK and global enterprises. This initiative is expected to be a catalyst for economic growth in the North of England, contributing approximately £1.5bn GVA per annum to Manchester’s economy.
Moreover, the district promises substantial social impact by creating over 10,000 full-time equivalent jobs on-site. It will provide accessible routes to education, training, and apprenticeship opportunities for the local community. Additionally, around 1,500 new homes are planned, alongside over two million square feet of commercial, retail, and leisure spaces.
The public realm within Sister will feature nine acres of green spaces and a new civic square, enhancing community access and enjoyment. The district’s first tenant, Sustainable Ventures, is a prominent European tech hub moving into the Renold Building in November. The Renold Building, the first phase of this ambitious 15-year project, is supported by Greater Manchester Investment Zone funding and has been repurposed into a 110,000-square-foot innovation hub.
This development will support start-ups and spin-outs by providing low and no-cost coworking facilities, private office suites, and flexible event spaces available to local businesses and groups. Sustainable Ventures will occupy three floors of the Renold Building, expanding its operations from London to Manchester’s vibrant tech ecosystem. The building will also host significant university innovation initiatives, including the Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester, the Christabel Pankhurst Institute for health technology research and innovation, and the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst.
Bradley Topps, Project Director of Sister and Chief Commercial Officer at Bruntwood SciTech, emphasised the collaborative ethos of the district, stating, “Sister is founded on the belief that it takes a community to raise an idea and that although ideas may appear in a single mind, they flourish when people come together.” John Holden, Associate Vice-President of The University of Manchester, highlighted the role of the university in driving innovation and education capabilities to support the growth of tech start-ups, asserting that Sister will host some of the UK’s most exciting businesses.
Manchester’s City Council leader, Cllr Bev Craig, and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, both noted the economic and employment benefits the district will bestow on the city. Sustainable Ventures CEO, Andrew Wordsworth, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the expected economic growth and job creation contributions from climate tech innovations. Wordsworth added, “The climate tech companies we’ve supported to date have already created over 6,000 jobs and we hope to replicate that economic growth within the region over the next few years.”
The opening of Sister marks a significant milestone in Manchester’s journey towards becoming a leader in global science and technology innovation. With its extensive facilities, collaborative environment, and strong support from local government and industry leaders, Sister is set to drive economic growth and technological advancements in the region for years to come.