Stevenage's boom as a hub for scientific and cutting-edge discovery sets aspirations high for the town's future and for local innovation.

The 92-acre Stevenage home of pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, which was officially opened by the Queen on April 19, 1995, has further pinpointed Stevenage's place on the map as a cell of scientific advancement and progression.

The Comet: Inside a lab at GSK in StevenageInside a lab at GSK in Stevenage (Image: Richard Moran)

The Comet: The Queen at the official opening of the new GlaxoSmithKline - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - Stevenage site on April 19, 1995The Queen at the official opening of the new GlaxoSmithKline - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - Stevenage site on April 19, 1995 (Image: GSK Heritage Archives)

The Comet: The Queen at the official opening of the new GlaxoSmithKline - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - Stevenage site on April 19, 1995The Queen at the official opening of the new GlaxoSmithKline - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - Stevenage site on April 19, 1995 (Image: GSK Heritage Archives)

The plan to acquire the Stevenage site and build a new centre was agreed by the board in 1987, and then took nine years to locate, design and build.

A forward thinking and cutting-edge approach, the revolutionary Stevenage site was designed to encourage people to leave their labs and spend time with colleagues across disciplines - not only socially, but in a bid to further spark ideas.

The Comet: The Stevenage campus of GlaxoSmithKline - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - in 1995The Stevenage campus of GlaxoSmithKline - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - in 1995 (Image: GSK Heritage Archives)

The Comet: The Stevenage campus of GlaxoSmithKline - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - in 1995The Stevenage campus of GlaxoSmithKline - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - in 1995 (Image: GSK Heritage Archives)

At the height of its construction throughout the 90s, the site employed more than 3,000 contractors - and was second only to the Channel Tunnel as the UK's largest construction project.

The Comet: Construction of the 92-acre GSK - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - site at Stevenage, which fully opened in April 1995Construction of the 92-acre GSK - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - site at Stevenage, which fully opened in April 1995 (Image: GSK Heritage Archives)

The Comet: Construction of the 92-acre GSK - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - site at Stevenage, which fully opened in April 1995Construction of the 92-acre GSK - then known as Glaxo Wellcome R&D - site at Stevenage, which fully opened in April 1995 (Image: GSK Heritage Archives)

Stevenage was specially picked for its location: offering a large attractive site with easy access to road, rail and air connections, as well as its excellent reputation for supporting its local industry, with staff able to enjoy the opportunity of living in the agreeable environment of North Hertfordshire - something that still rings true today.

The Comet: The new campus at GSK Stevenage, work on which will begin in 2022The new campus at GSK Stevenage, work on which will begin in 2022 (Image: GSK)

And it's only continuing to grow. The up-and-coming latest redevelopment to GSK Stevenage - which work will begin on in 2022 - will, in the words of the company's senior vice president of medicinal science and technology Tony Wood, make Stevenage the "top destination for medical and scientific research by the end of the decade."

Tony added: “It’s important to understand that as scientists, collaboration is the centre of everything we do.

The Comet: Inside a lab at GSK in StevenageInside a lab at GSK in Stevenage (Image: Richard Moran)

"So what we’re trying to do here is build on a successful campus and our relationships with Bio Catalyst and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult to build an even bigger ecosystem. That increases collaboration, increases opportunity for new science.

"I think that’s great news for Stevenage, it’s great news for the UK and it’s great news for GSK.”