Lord Sainsbury has unveiled a model and images of how the first building, Spark One, will look as part of the new £300 million science park for Bristol and Bath.

The announcement came as part of a one day conference celebrating Science City Bristol and all that the city-region has done and continues to do in the world of science and technology.

More than 120 businesses, university and public sector leaders attended the event at HP Labs, Filton, to hear speeches from Lord Sainsbury, Hermann Hauser, co-founder of Amadeus Capital Partners and architect of the Cambridge Phenomenon and Johnny Ball, science enthusiast and former TV presenter. They discussed technology solutions to major issues facing Bristol and the surrounding area: sustainable transportation, skills shortage in the workforce and public-private collaboration across sectors.

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Lord Sainsbury said: "The Bristol city-region is known for its scientific heritage, including its links with Brunel, but the continuing impact of this scientific culture is often underestimated. Its scientists remain at the global leading edge of technological developments in areas such as mobile telephony, robotics and low power micro electronic devices.

"With such significant research and development work underway today in its universities and businesses, this announcement highlights the progress that Bristol is making in creating a high-tech cluster which will act as a catalyst for economic growth in the region."

SPark is a ground breaking development driven by the South West RDA, the Universities of Bristol, Bath and the West of England and specialist developer Quantum Property Partnership. The 10-year project will provide dedicated space for science and technology businesses in South West England and create around 6,000 highly skilled jobs. Contractors for Spark One will be announced this summer, with work expected to start before the end of the year.

(CD/JM)