Group plans £30m science centre for Oxford

A new centre for science entrepreneurs is to open in Oxford.

Science Oxford, which supports education and business in the city, has bought Macclesfield House, next to Oxford Castle Mound in New Road.

The organisation wants to turn the site into a £30m science and innovation centre within five years but needs to raise a further £20m.

In the meantime, the building has been partly refurbished and will be opened shortly as a centre for entrepreneurs.

Prospective tenants waiting to move into the current building include Mirada Medical, which makes software for medical imaging equipment.

Science Oxford has appointed Foster and Partners as architects for the proposed science centre, which will include rentable office space to businesses as well as conference and corporate events facilities.