Discovery Park in Sandwich is enticing businesses to fill vacant office space

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Four companies have boosted job numbers at the former Pfizer site in Sandwich by moving key operations to the complex.

The quartet have increased the total number of companies on Discovery Park to close to 20.

The latest moves are a vote of confidence for the company that bought the site and is investing in updating facilities with a view to attracting at least 3,000 jobs over the next few years.

It offers growing companies Enterprise Zone status and interest-free loans under the Expansion East Kent scheme.

FosterCare UK, Vital Software, A4P Bio and Communicate are the latest inward investors in the 220-acre park.

Paul Barber, managing director of Discovery Park Ltd (pictured left), said: "We are delighted that Discovery Park has been chosen as the base for these diverse businesses, which will benefit the local area in terms of jobs and investment."

He added: "Our vision is to create a thriving business hub centred around world class science and technology facilities we already have on site.

"To have welcomed four new businesses to Discovery Park and into Innovation House, our dedicated luxury office accommodation, is testament to our commitment to creating a vibrant work environment where businesses can connect, share and engage."

FosterCare UK, an independent fostering company employing 98 people, has moved its head office to the park to meet rising demand.

Managing director Jonathan Toomey said: "Moving our head office to Discovery Park has enabled FosterCare UK to bring all of the high quality, child-centred services we provide into one central destination.

"As a rapidly growing Kent-based business, the new office space gives us room to expand our services and continue the recruitment of new foster carers in specialist areas."

Keith Bushell, managing director of Vital Software, which works for the automotive industry in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands, said: "Discovery Park is the perfect location for our 13 UK-based staff."