The University of Leicester uses Reset for Contractor Management on all their campuses and locations including Space Park Leicester.
Situated in the city of Leicester is Space Park, a purpose-built facility dedicated to space exploration, research and innovation, the first of its kind in the UK, bringing together a community of industry experts, academics and students working collaboratively.
Space Park Leicester is the realisation of the University of Leicester’s vision and desire to become a world-leader in space science, one that would put them front and centre across both national and international borders. From the period 2012 to 2022 the UK space sector witnessed a substantial increase in private investment which according to the government was in the region of £11.7 billion with 83% of this taking place since 2019[1].
The University has been at the forefront of space exploration since 1960 with Professor Ken Pounds founding the Space Research Group. The following year the first Leicester-built device went into space aboard a Skylark rocket. Since then, 90 instruments built by Leicester physicists have been to space including six live space missions- more than any other UK university.
From its inception, Space Park Leicester received huge support attracting major players in the aerospace, engineering and manufacturing sectors and with the promise of thousands of jobs and a boost to the local economy the University’s vision for a community space hub quickly gathered pace.
Construction work on the former John Ellis School site located nearby the UK’s National Space Centre began in January 2020 and was commemorated by a ground-breaking ceremony. The multi-million-pound hub was completed in just under 15 months and marked the end of the first phase building work. Whilst the keys were handed over in April 2021, the site was officially opened by British Astronaut Major Tim Peake in March 2022.
The 9,700m2 facility comprises modern office space, shared laboratories, teaching facilities and co-working spaces for industry and academia and its own Reset Access touchscreen terminal, Reset’s self-serve, check-in system that enables them to manage and control its contractors on-site, as well as providing full visibility of where they are and what they are doing together with delivering site inductions.
Rolls-Royce, the UK Space Agency and Airbus are amongst some of its most recognised tenants, industry leaders in their fields offering the opportunity for professionals and like-minded businesses to not only share their workspace but their knowledge and expertise in the field of space and earth observation.
Since the site opened, it has welcomed visitors from all over the world, from global dignitaries and esteemed academics to government ministers, businesses and local schools. The site has also received numerous prestigious awards for its work and facilities, along with the positive impact it has had on both the local and national economy with their dedication to innovation and their commitment to sustainability.
Nonetheless, the University’s vision to be a global player in what is predicted to be a £1 trillion pound industry by 2040 doesn’t stop there. Space Park is part of a £233 million pound investment known as ‘Space City’. Part of the Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone, the 36-acre site is split into three zones and includes the University of Leicester’s state-of-the-art Space Park Leicester research and development campus, the Dock and new Exploration Drive investment opportunity, and the renowned National Space Centre.
Looking ahead to the planned growth and investment in the space sector, the site’s future developments will only continue to strengthen Space Park Leicester and the University of Leicester’s position to inspire future generations of space pioneers.
