Our History
The Norwich Research Park was first conceived in the early 1960s with the opening of the UEA which initially focused on Biological Sciences and English Studies. The university began life as a collection of prefabricated structures designed for 1,200 students on a site close to where it sits today.
This was followed by the relocation of the then-named John Innes Institute (now John Innes Centre) to Norwich from South Merton in 1967. The organisation undertook plant, microbial and mammalian cell research with a particular focus on crop science. The Institute of Food Research moved to the site soon after accompanied by the opening of The Sainsbury Laboratory in 1988 which was founded to deliver research on molecular plant pathology.
In 1992 local partners joined together to officially launch the Norwich Research Park which marked the start of the Park as we know it today. The founding partners were: UEA’s School of Biological and Chemical Studies; the John Innes Institute; the Institute of Food Research; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food’s Food Science Laboratory; and, the British Sugar Technical Centre.
The Park has evolved and grown significantly since its launch:
1990s
1990s
School of Allied Health Professionals opens at UEA. John Innes Centre opens Joseph Chatt Building for Nitrogen Fixation scientists
2001
2001
NNUH opens and wins Better Building Health Award for Best Designed Hospital
2002
2002
Norwich Bio-Incubator opens offering commercial space for start-up and spin-out companies Norwich Research Park PhD Studentships programme launched
2009
2009
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) opens and establishes itself as a leading member of
the Wheat Genome Consortium.
2010
2010
Innovation Centre launches providing 30 office and laboratory spaces for growing businesses
2012
2012
Norwich Research Partners LLP (later renamed Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP) is set up by partners to manage the Park and drive forward its expansion.
2014
2014
Centrum building opens and provides a fully supported hub for business and the research community.
2015
2015
UEA’s Enterprise Centre (right) opens providing a supportive hub to over 150 start-ups and small businesses.
The Bob Champion Research and Education building (below) opens providing
state-of-the-art laboratories for researchers to explore new treatments
2016
2016
Norwich Research Park joins New Anglia LEP’s Space to Innovate Enterprise Zone programme
2017
2017
Institute of Food Research transitions into Quadram Institute of Bioscience to fulfil ambition to focus on the interface between science, gut biology and human health.
2019
2019
New state-of-the art laboratories launched by the Quadram Institute.
2020
2020
COVID-19 hits and the Park’s researchers and businesses pivot to fighting the pandemic.
2021
2021
Ella May Barnes building opens providing state of-the-art laboratories and workspace for businesses in the region’s growing food, health and life science sectors.
Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP launch ambitious strategic and physical plans for the future of the Park.