News & Events

Grove Business Park, Wantage

Olly Glover MP tours Phase One of construction at Grove Business Park as the shells of the first two buildings – Logica 1 and Logica 2 – are completed in another milestone for the project.

The three new ‘space-for-science’ buildings in Phase One known as Logica 1, Logica 2 and The Ruddock and totalling 87,500 sq ft (8,130 sqm)  will all be available in Summer 2026.

Logica 1 and Logica 2 will provide flexible mid-tech units suitable for a range of uses with space available up to 31,226 sq ft (2,902 sq m). These two buildings are well advanced with a weather-proof shell in place for the internal works to start taking shape.

The flagship Ruddock building is a hybrid style facility specifically designed for Office/Lab/R&D users with space available up to 25,144 sq ft (2,336 sq m).

Logica 1 & 2 shown with the framework for The Ruddock building in the background

On one of the wettest and windiest days so far in 2025, plans to top-out The Ruddock by putting the last bolt on the steel framework were shelved, but the team still toured the site and viewed the interiors of the now well-advanced Logica 1 and 2 buildings.

However, the weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for this first phase of what is eventually planned to be a total of 377,000 sq ft (35,000 sq m) of new space, creating a modern hub for life sciences, technology and innovation businesses, with the aspiration to provide up to 2,500 jobs.

Will Lawrie, Head of Property Management at Oxford University Endowment Management Ltd, on behalf of the Oxford Endowment Fund, commented: “We were really pleased to welcome Olly Glover to the Park to share the progress we are making and we’re well on schedule for completion next Summer.  It’s great to see our vision for the Park taking shape and we’re excited about the new opportunities that we are creating in the science and technology sectors.”

Olly Glover, MP and Will Lawrie, OUem

Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage, said; “I was delighted to be invited to tour the site with the development team and to see first-hand the transformation that Grove Business Park is undergoing, where we spoke about the potential of the three new ‘space-for-science’ buildings which will be opening in the summer of 2026. This new innovation hub on a brownfield site is hugely important for Wantage and the wider Oxfordshire Science Vale, with the potential for 2,500 jobs on site.

“It is important that growth is supported by the right infrastructure, which is why I’m continuing to push for a new railway station at Grove. I’m delighted to have the backing of Grove Business Park, as well as the Oxford Endowment Fund for this project, which will create long-lasting benefits for future employees based in Logica 1, Logica 2 and The Ruddock.”

Two more growing tech companies open new units at the Park

It has been an eventful few weeks with two new official openings at the Park.

LUX launched its new liquid hydrogen test facility, a first-of-a-kind with the aim of supporting the acceleration of a transition to a hydrogen powered economy in the UK.  The testing facility on site is designed to meet the challenge head on, promoting safe, scalable, and commercially viable hydrogen adoption.

In his speech at the launch LUX CEO, Samuel Dallimore thanked Grove Business Park for being so supportive of his plans and providing a great location with a high-spec refurbished unit that offers the ideal environment to enable LUX to develop its technology further amongst a range of other innovation businesses at the heart of Oxfordshire’s Science Vale.

Meanwhile Directors, staff and clients gathered together to celebrate the opening of Croyde Medical’s new headquarters at the Park. The company, which supplies innovative medical devices and furniture to NHS and private hospitals across the UK and internationally, plans to double in size over the next three years, with plans to create new jobs and invest in local talent.

Managing director Stuart Hobin said: “Grove Business Park is a great location for us, and this new, high-spec unit creates the perfect environment and space for us to grow our business.”

Samuel Dallimore, CEO at LUX, and William Lawrie of Oxford University Endowment Management ‘cut the ribbon’ to the new liquid hydrogen test facility

Grove Business Park welcomes Croyde Medical as its latest new occupier

Grove Business Park welcomes one of the UK’s leading maternity equipment suppliers, Croyde Medical as its latest new occupier

As the new development on our growing science and technology hub progresses at pace, we are delighted to welcome new occupier Croyde Medical to the Park.

Croyde Medical will occupy a modern 3,419 sq ft unit to provide its dedicated range of leading maternity, neonatal and temperature-controlled medical equipment. As part of its expansion plans it acquired QED Scientific Ltd last year, so it has now moved into a new base at the Park.

 

Stuart Hobin, Managing Director of Croyde Medical, is looking forward to the move: “Grove Business Park is a great location for us and the high-spec modern unit will provide the perfect environment and space to grow our business further. We are pleased to be joining the growing science and technology business community at the Park and look forward to being a part of the wider expansion.”

 

Meanwhile existing occupier Navtech Radar, the award-winning innovator, designer and manufacturer of technologically advanced radar detection systems for automation, safety and security applications has committed to its future at the Park, renewing its lease for its 10,062 sq ft unit for another 5 years.

 

Grove Business Park is fast becoming a go to location for growing businesses in the science and technology sector and a key destination in the wider Oxfordshire Science Vale.

 

Jan Losch, a Director of Savills, joint leasing agent at the Park, welcomed the addition: “Both these are a further boost to the growing tenant line-up following clean energy technology company LUX joining earlier in the year.

“It’s no surprise however, as the Park offers ideal space for R&D, Lab and Technology businesses. The Park’s expansion will provide even more opportunities in a vibrant and sustainable campus environment with state-of-the-art facilities for innovation, life sciences and other advanced technology sectors. Phase One is well underway and we are already speaking to businesses about the first 89,500 sq ft, which will become available in Summer 2026.”

Savills and Bidwells are the joint agents for Grove Business Park. The new development underway was designed by SRA Architects and is being development managed by atlp consulting.

Grove Business Park is pleased to welcome Bidwells to join Savills on the agency team.

As the steel framework rises up on Phase One of the exciting new Innovation, Science and Technology hub, the Park is pleased to welcome Bidwells to join Savills on the agency team.

The full team gathered on site to celebrate the fantastic progress and milestone achieved with construction company Barnwood. From L to R: Jan Losch, Savills; Duncan May, Bidwells; Alastair Thomas, atlp; William Lawrie, OUem; Simon Carey, Barnwood; Paul Arnold, atlp; Holly Dawson, Bidwells, Charles Rowton-Lee, Savills.

 

Will Lawrie, Head of Property Management at Oxford University Endowment Management Ltd, on behalf of the Oxford Endowment Fund, is delighted by the progress:

“This is a significant milestone to reach in the project and it’s great to see the vision of increased scale, quality and amenity at the Park really coming together, creating new opportunities in the life sciences, innovation and technology sectors.

‘It is also great to now have Bidwells as well as Savills on our agency team to help deliver this evolution of the Park as an important focal point for Wantage and the wider Oxfordshire Science Vale.”

 

This first phase features three special new buildings providing Technology/R&D/Lab-enabled accommodation totalling 87,500 sq ft (8,130 sqm) to be known as Logica 1, Logica 2 and Sigma.

Logica 1 and Logica 2 will provide flexible mid-tech units suitable for a range of uses with space available up to 31,226 sq ft (2,902 sq m).

Sigma is a hybrid style building suitable for Office/Lab/R&D users with space available up to 25,144 sq ft (2,336 sq m).

The new buildings will all be available in Summer 2026.

Record number of people at the annual Summer Social

A record number of over 260 people from around the Park turned up and joined in our Summer Social on 2 July. It was perfect weather for a great afternoon of food, fun and games.

Everyone enjoyed the choice of local fare served up by our resident caterer Valentine Food with some classic salads and BBQ specialities as well as from our other local food service operators, Uggy’s Pizzas and Surf ‘n Fries.

The cycling and active travel theme was championed by our friends from Sustainable Wantage, Wantage & Grove Active Travel and Ridgeway Cycles with musical support from the evergreen Wantage Silver Band. It was great to get the support of local MP Olly Glover and his team at the event.

Park owner Oxford Endowment Fund was delighted with the turnout for the Summer Social and is planning more events and additional amenities and services as the Park grows with new phases of mid-tech, R&D and office/lab development.

Grove Business Park welcomes clean energy technology provider LUX as its latest new occupier

Following the announcement of the go-ahead for plans to expand Grove Business Park by up to a further 377,000 sq ft to create a modern hub for life sciences, technology and innovation businesses, the Park has signed up LUX for a 3,000 sq ft R&D/Lab unit.

LUX will occupy a unit within The Quadrangle facility at the Park to develop its production of scalable, ‘on-site-on-demand’ supply of clean liquid hydrogen for the commercial transportation, manufacturing and energy markets in its drive towards alternative renewable fuels and energy generation.

Samuel Dallimore, CEO of LUX, said: “Grove Business Park is a great location for us and the high-spec refurbished unit will provide the perfect environment to enable us to develop our technology further amongst a range of other innovation businesses at the heart of the Oxfordshire Science Vale.”

Jan Losch, a Director of leasing agent Savills, commented: “It’s a real success to welcome another innovation business like LUX to Grove Business Park. The current Park offers ideal space for R&D, Lab and Technology businesses. The new development to expand the Park will provide further opportunities in a vibrant and sustainable campus environment with state-of-the-art facilities for innovation, life sciences and other advanced technology sectors. We are already speaking to businesses about the first phase of 89,500 sq ft, which will become available in Summer 2026.”

The current 260,000 sq ft (24,155 sqm) Park has a history as a base for research and development. It was acquired by The Oxford Endowment Fund in 2022 with an ambition to build upon its undoubted potential and to reinforce its location as a base for a diverse group of some 40 different businesses and organisations, as well as a host of companies at its Boston House Business Centre, that represent a variety of leading industries contributing to innovation and advancement in their respective fields.

Savills is the appointed agent for Grove Business Park.

Transformational plans to expand Grove Business Park, Wantage given the go ahead

Plans for 377,000 sq ft (35,000 sqm) of new commercial space at Grove Business Park have been given the go-ahead by the Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council.  The development will create a modern hub for life sciences, technology and innovation businesses, with the aspiration to provide for up to 2,500 jobs.

 

The expansion plans include detailed consent for three new buildings providing Technology / R&D / Lab enhanced accommodation totalling 87,500 sq ft (c8,130 sqm) and outline consent for a further 289,500 sq ft (c27,000 sqm) of commercial development and will create new quality employment opportunities.

 

The plans also encompass enhancements to existing buildings and landscaping, together with providing improved amenities and enhanced access and links.

Enabling works will complete in the Spring, which will be followed by construction of the first three buildings anticipated to complete in Summer 2026.

 

Grove Business Park is already home to a diverse group of businesses and organisations – as well as a host of companies at its Boston House Business Centre.  They represent a variety of leading industries and contribute to innovation and advancement in their respective fields.

 

Will Lawrie, Head of Property Management at Oxford University Endowment Management Ltd, on behalf of the Oxford Endowment Fund, welcomed the news:

“The increased scale, quality and amenity of the Park, together with the new investment and job opportunities created in the life sciences, innovation and technology sectors, are vitally important resources that will serve as a commercial focal point for Wantage and the wider Oxfordshire Science Vale.

 

“The plans prioritise a BREAAM ‘Excellent’ development with enhanced biodiversity, green amenity spaces, pedestrian priorities and improved access and permeability with the neighbouring residential development at Wellington Gate, which will create a vibrant and sustainable campus environment for the future.”

 

Savills is the appointed agent for Grove Business Park. The scheme was designed by SRA Architects and is being development managed by atlp consulting.

 

Preparatory Groundworks Underway

As the application for new development at the Park continues to make good progress through planning, consent has been given to undertake preparatory groundworks on the site at the northern end of the Park.

 

Contractors J Mould have been appointed with the task of identifying, removing and backfilling existing underground slabs and previous foundations. Underlying services unearthed in this process will be capped and removed, together with any external drainage and manholes. The area will be backfilled with crushed materials reused from the site to reduce vehicle movements and finally levelled off to complete the works.

 

Work is scheduled to start on 7 October and will take around 12 weeks.

 

 

A Great British Summer Lunch

On 3 July over 250 people from around the Park turned up and joined in on a tennis-themed Summer Social despite the cool weather.

 

It was good to see people tucking into the local fare served up by resident on-site caterer Valentine Foods with some classic salads and BBQ specialities, as well as the other local food operators in Uggy’s Pizzas and Surf ‘n Fries to offer some really great choice. Dessert was of course strawberries & cream with Wimbledon being streamed live on a big screen all set to the background summer sounds from local Grove DJ – Musik Machine.

 

Meanwhile lots of enthusiastic people were up for a go at the tennis serving speed competition, with a whopping winning serve of 102 mph!

 

The afternoon garnered great feedback and Park owner Oxford Endowment Fund was delighted with the turn out: “We’re trying to build something special here at Grove Business Park with a real community for everyone on site and an exciting proposition as a place to grow with new space to attract more quality businesses and jobs. It was a really enjoyable afternoon and we plan to bring people together more often like this as the project advances.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grove Business Park joins Advanced Oxford

Grove Business Park is delighted to announce it is now a sponsor member of Advanced Oxford, and will be actively contributing to their work in supporting the development of Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem.

 

Grove Business Park is already home to a diverse group of some 40 different businesses and organisations – not including the companies at Boston House Business Centre – that represent a variety of industries contributing to innovation and impact in their respective fields.  The decision to support Advanced Oxford’s work comes as plans are progressing for development of an additional 377,000 sqft (c35,000 sqm) of space at Grove Business Park to establish a life sciences, technology and innovation hub with the aspiration to provide up to 2,500 jobs at the Park in total.

 

William Lawrie, Head of Property Management at Oxford University Endowment Management Ltd on behalf of the Oxford Endowment Fund, commented: “Our plans for Grove Business Park are a significant investment to create space for businesses to grow and new job opportunities in the life sciences, innovation and technology sectors, which is a really important resource for the region. We are therefore delighted to support the excellent work of Advanced Oxford in championing the region and look forward to working in collaboration as we look to deliver our vision for the Park.”

 

Sarah Haywood, Advanced Oxford’s Managing Director said, “We are pleased to welcome Grove Business Park as a new sponsor member of Advanced Oxford.  The long-term investment into the Park from the Oxford Endowment Fund signals a commitment to develop a thriving new hub for science and technology businesses within our region.  We are delighted to have the opportunity to involve the Park, and their tenants, in our work to develop Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem.”

 

Further information about Advanced Oxford, its work and members can be found on: www.AdvancedOxford.com.  You can follow on X @advanced_oxford and on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-oxford