YORK Science Park is reporting a surge in demand for start up space as eight new businesses move into its Springboard facility.

The business park's Springboard is designed to provide a flexible environment to early stage businesses while they become established.

Its latest residents include a technology innovation software company NMJ Technologies, Heron Imports and Exports an aluminium import/export operation, a business offering unique music services for children called Bumblebeats, IT consultancy business Catalyst IT Solutions, digital marketing consultancy Jack Russell Digital, residential property research firm Real Hub, Stashmetrics which builds tools for social media analysis, and specialist recruitment firm Express Workforce.

Tracey Smith, managing director ofYork Science Park, said: "We have certainly seen an increase in demand for our start-up space over recent months.

"It's fascinating to see the wide range of products these new businesses are offering and developing and I am sure they will all benefit from being amongst like-minded entrepreneurs focused on growing their new businesses."

Located in the Ron Cooke Hub on the University of York’s Heslington East campus development, Springboard was established in 2010 and enables entrepreneurs and businesses to access business people, academic departments and world class researchers.

Accommodation is free for the first three months and then is on a sliding scale depending on the size of office taken.