Oxford Innovation

cherwell innovation centre is located on the historical Oxfordshire RAF air base just outside Bicester, providing start up companies with a professional environment to grow their business, along with a range of business support services needed during the first vital years of operation.

  • cherwell_entrance.mov
    Entrance
  • cherwell_reception.mov
    Reception
  • cherwell_lab.mov
    Laboratory
  • cherwell_meeting.mov
    Meeting room

cherwell innovation centre is located on the site of the former RAF Upper Heyford. Today, Heyford Park is a growing business location, with many of the former buildings, aircraft hangers and even the runway now being used by growing businesses

The Innovation Centre occupies 2 buildings on site which were formerly accommodation blocks for servicemen. The centre was developed with support from the North Oxfordshire Consortium and Cherwell District Council and in November 2001 the second building was opened as a result of the initial success of the Centre.

Cherwell Innovation Centre continues to grow and develop with its latest offering of the Diagnox Laboratory, a unique managed and equipped laboratory and office facility which opened in 2003. The Centre is home to a mix of technology and science based companies, who are attracted by the rural location close to major road links such as the A34 and the M40, along with the varied office and laboratory facilities

Centre Services

Cherwell Innovation Centre provides start-up companies with a professional infrastructure and image to grow their business, along with a range of business support services needed during the first vital years of operation.

Typical features include:

  • A straightforward licence with one month’s notice period
  • Central reception and switchboard
  • Telephone answering in company name
  • Photocopying and post handling
  • On-site meeting and conference facilities
  • Ample parking
  • Kitchen facilities
  • Broadband internet access available
  • Shower facilities
  • Site security and access control systems, providing 24 hour access
  • CAT 5 structured cabling throughout the building
  • OxiFlex virtual office facility
  • Membership of ICE: the Innovation Centre Extranet, linking centres and companies together

Map

Cherwell map

Directions

From M40, Junction 10

Head for Ardley and Middleton Stoney along the B430. After about 1 mile, turn right (after the Ardley Refuse Site) and follow the sign to Heyford Park. Follow the road until you reach the T-Junction then turn right into Camp Road.

The entrance to Heyford Park is along Camp Road – Main Gate on the right hand side at large roundabout – Security gate with Thames Valley Police sign at the entrance on the left hand side of the gate. They will direct you inside the site.

From Oxford and A34

Take the A34 northbound toward Bicester and M40. Take the B430 exit towards Weston-on-the-Green and Middleton Stoney. Follow road straight until you come to a set of traffic lights staggered junction. At the traffic lights, turn left follow the road for approx 1 mile turn right and follow the signs to Heyford Park.

The entrance to Heyford Park is along Camp Road – Main Gate on the right hand side, at large roundabout – Security gate with Thames Valley Police sign at the entrance on the left hand side of the gate.

From Aylesbury

Take the A41 to Bicester until you reach large roundabout with Bicester Village retail park on your right hand side. Turn right continue to the next roundabout and go straight ahead, at the mini roundabout turn left. Follow this road for approx 3 miles until you come to a set of traffic lights staggered junction. At the traffic lights, go straight ahead follow the road for approx 1 mile turn right and follow the signs to Heyford Park.

The entrance to Heyford Park is along Camp Road – Main Gate on the right hand side, at large roundabout – Security gate with Thames Valley Police sign at the entrance on the left hand side of the gate.

By Public Transport

Lower Heyford station is on the line between Banbury and Oxford. The station is a short taxi ride from the Centre.

Trains from Bicester run directly to London Marylebone and Birmingham from Bicester North station, Bicester Town station serves Oxford and surrounding towns, both stations are within 7 miles if Cherwell Innovation Centre.

Buses serving Bicester, Oxford and Banbury stop at Upper Heyford.

the DiagnOx Laboratory, based at the Cherwell Innovation Centre is a unique, managed and equipped, 1,500 sq ft laboratory and office facility.

The lab enables researchers or companies, particularly those with medical diagnostic technologies to undertake proof-of-concept work, cost-effectively and in a supportive environment.

DiagnOx Laboratory offers:

  • Business mentoring
  • Support with technology assessment, & IP management
  • Access to funding
  • Access to expertise in commercial, financial, regulatory & technical areas
  • Membership of the DiagnOx network
  • Events & training courses

Use of the facility is on flexible easy-in, easy-out terms with one month’s notice period. Support provided by the sponsors of the DiagnOx Laboratory ensures very low user licence fees.

the DiagnOx Network is a virtual network for organisations involved with the commercialisation of medical, veterinary, environmental and food diagnostics research.

DiagnOx Network offers:

  • full searchable access to the DiagnOx directory
  • the ability to create a tailored directory entry for your organisation
  • online profile management
  • add your own news, events, course details and job vacancies
  • seek partnering and licensing opportunities
  • full access to guides & resources (including downloads and links libraries)
  • reduced rates for DiagnOx meetings
  • receipt of targeted information
  • receive our news and events e-bulletin

..and lots more

For more information about DiagnOx Laboratory and DiagnOx, visit www.diagnox.co.uk.

Latest news

Cherwell Innovation Centre

77 Heyford Park
Upper Heyford
Oxfordshire
OX25 5HD
UK

tel: 01869 238000 work

fax: 01869 238001

email: work