The expansion of Keele University’s Science & Innovation Park has taken a huge step forward, with senior officials from the region’s local authorities coming together to support the project at the Real Estate and Investment Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds.

First unveiled in 2025, the vision for Keele Innovation District is to create a nationally significant hub for innovation, and a catalyst for major growth throughout the region.

The planned expansion will see the University’s existing Science and Innovation Park grow into a neighbouring site as part of a wider mixed-use district.

The Innovation District has now reached a key milestone in its development, with Keele’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Kevin Shakesheff leading a senior delegation to present a further developed masterplan at this year’s UKREiiF, alongside officers from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and Staffordshire County Council.

All three Local Authorities have actively supported the project over recent years, including ensuring the proposals are built into the Borough Council’s Local Plan, which is expected to be formally adopted within the next few months.  

Work is now under way to formalise the partnership and develop detailed proposals for delivery.

As well as contributing around £1 billion GVA per annum to the regional economy when completed and providing 5,400 additional jobs onsite, the construction itself will also support around 13,000 jobs in the local area.

It’s estimated that the expansion will take between 20-25 years to be fully completed given the size of the project, but preparatory work is already under way, with the first phase of the project due to get started within the next two to three years.

Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: "Our Science and Innovation Park is a great example of how academia and industry can co-exist for mutual benefits; businesses can access the latest academic research, innovations, and a pipeline of graduate talent, while our researchers and students can work with industry leaders at the top of their fields on the problems that matter most to them.

“With Keele Innovation District this relationship will be even more significant and coupled with the benefits for the wider region this has the potential to be a truly transformative project. I am pleased that our local authority partners share this optimism and look forward to working with them to bring this project to fruition over the years ahead.”