Life Science Centre

What Life Science Centre does

Life Science Centre, operated by the International Centre for Life Trust (registered charity 1059607), is an educational visitor attraction in Newcastle upon Tyne that combines hands-on science exhibits with a major planetarium and live programming. Founded in 2000 alongside the wider International Centre for Life science campus, the centre houses the North's largest planetarium, a six-metre tornado tower (tallest in Europe), a seven-metre Gaia Earth installation, and exhibit zones across Space, Wow, Brain, Play, Lightbox and Making Studios. Its technology backbone is fulldome projection and animatronics, supported by an in-house digital production team (e.g., Life: The Greatest Story, What Santa Sees) and a Mobile Planetarium Outreach service for off-site school visits.

The business model blends consumer admission revenue with B2B and recurring streams. Direct-to-consumer income comes from individual ticketing and an annual membership subscription; B2B income is generated from a group-bookings team servicing schools, HAF-funded providers and corporate packages (20+ visitors), a dedicated venue-hire business covering the 350 sqm Scotswood Suite, the Times Square Café Bar, a 140 sqm commercial kitchen and Times Square outdoor space, plus a B2B licensing arm distributing fulldome shows globally to other planetariums. Ancillary revenue includes the on-site gift shop, on-site cafés, and the wholly-owned Times Square Car Park (BPA Award of Excellence, with hourly to annual passes and NUFC match-day pricing). Pricing includes standard admission around £12, group rates of £12 (£10.50 during summer VAT reduction) and a Gift Aid donation opt-in that allows the charity to reclaim 25p per £1 from the UK Government. Customers are segmented across families with children (primary), schools and educational groups (primary), adults 18+, corporate event buyers, home-education families, and visitors with additional needs.

The centre serves the North East England market, with curriculum-linked workshops, GCSE science practicals, HAF-funded holiday sessions, Relaxed Sunday Sessions for autistic visitors, and adult-only evening events. Its asset base is materially augmented by the International Centre for Life (Property) Limited, a wholly-owned property subsidiary, and a long-running partnership with the North East Autism Society (since 2018, supported by the Inspiring Science Fund) that has translated into the first Gold Plus Autism Acceptance Standard ever issued to a UK visitor attraction and the 2022 Ecsite Mariano Gago Award.

Name

Life Science Centre

Legal name

International Centre for Life Trust

Website

https://life.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Life Science Centre is a registered charity in Newcastle upon Tyne operating an interactive science museum, the North's largest planetarium, and educational workshops for families, schools, and corporate groups, with ancillary revenue from venue hire, retail, catering, parking, and global fulldome show licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum and Educational Visitor Attraction

NAICS

Museums (712110)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Natural History Museums (THAJADAC)

Keywords

• Science education
• Interactive exhibits
• Planetarium shows
• Visitor attraction
• STEM workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Newcastle Upon Tyne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: Ticket sales for science centre entry, with special events priced separately. Online booking recommended. Carers for disabled visitors admitted free.
2. Annual Membership: Annual memberships allowing unlimited visits. Members receive shop and cafe discounts. Day ticket upgrades available within one calendar month of visit.
3. Group Bookings: Discounted group tickets for 20+ visitors including corporate packages for 50+ tickets. Group bookings receive priority entry and tailored meal packages.
4. Venue Hire: Hire of indoor and outdoor spaces including Scotswood Suite (350sqm function room), Times Square Cafe Bar, commercial kitchen (140 sqm), and Times Square outdoor area for events and exhibitions.
5. Gift Shop: Retail sales of science kits, toys, books, souvenirs and gifts. Located near reception, open without requiring science centre ticket.
6. Catering: On-site cafes including Times Square Cafe Bar serving food and drinks. Also available for private events and functions.
7. Fulldome Show Distribution: Licensing of in-house produced planetarium shows to other institutions. Shows like What Santa Sees are available for hire in 4K format.
8. Car Parking: Times Square Car Park operated by Centre for Life. Hourly, weekly, monthly and annual parking passes available. Also offers match day parking for Newcastle United home games.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Life Science Centre operates a science museum and visitor attraction in Newcastle upon Tyne offering interactive exhibits, the North's largest fulldome planetarium, live science shows, temporary exhibitions such as The Great Dinosaur Escape, hands-on workshops for schools and families, and venue hire for corporate and private events. The centre also licenses in-house produced fulldome planetarium shows to other institutions worldwide.

Product overview

Life Science Centre operates as a science museum and visitor attraction offering a unified experience where all exhibits, shows, and activities are included with general admission. The centre features permanent exhibit areas including Space Zone (with the North's largest planetarium), Wow Zone, Brain Zone, Play Zone, Lightbox, and the Making Studios, alongside rotating special exhibitions like The Great Dinosaur Escape. The centre serves families, schools, and adults through diverse programming including live shows, hands-on activities, birthday parties, relaxed sessions for neurodiverse visitors, and school workshops. Additional revenue streams include annual memberships, venue hire (Scotswood Suite, café bar, commercial kitchen, Times Square outdoor space), a gift shop, Times Square Car Park, and fulldome show distribution to other planetariums. The centre also operates a seasonal outdoor ice rink.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Times Square Café Bar: On-site catering facility at the science centre.
• Gaia

Products and services

• Science Centre General Admission
• Annual Membership
• The Great Dinosaur Escape
• School Visits Programme
• Venue Hire
• Fulldome Show Distribution
• Gift Shop
• Times Square Car Park
• STEM Summer Camp
• The Santa Experience

Quantifiable outcome

• Best visitor experience in England with 90%+ overall score from BVA BDRC mystery visits
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• LumocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Rail operator partnership offering 20% discount on The Great Dinosaur Escape for Lumo passengers travelling from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk, Morpeth, Stevenage and London King's Cross. Lumo named UK's best-value rail operator.
• Dinosaurios MexicoflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026UK debut of animatronic dinosaur collection at Life. Over 20 full-size dinosaurs including 9-metre-long T. rex in 350 sq metre enclosure. Dinosaurs created in Mexico with high realism combining art, engineering and technology.
• North East Autism Society (NEAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership began in 2018 supported by Inspiring Science Fund. Created support hub for autistic children and families, Relaxed Sunday Sessions, visual stories, and staff training. First to receive Gold Plus Autism Acceptance Standard. Received Mariano Gago Responsible and Responsive Award in 2022.
• Northumbria UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership recognised with Ecsite Strategic Partnership Award (Highly Commended) in 2016. Partnership served as basis for continuing programme reinforcing Life's mission and university's research-based vision.
• Newcastle UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributions to Life: The Greatest Story from Dr Jon Telling (Reader in Biogeochemistry), Dr David Rosario (Astrophysics Lecturer), and local academic experts.
• Northumbria UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContribution of Dr Amanda Jones (Microbiologist) to Life: The Greatest Story fulldome show.
• Durham UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContribution of Professor Peter Vickers (Head of Philosophy) to Life: The Greatest Story fulldome show.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dynamic Earth: Edinburgh science attraction and visitor centre focused on Earth and natural sciences, with strong educational and tourism channels. Comparable thematic focus to Life's planetarium and Earth/dinosaur exhibits.
• Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum: Birmingham's science museum with interactive galleries, planetarium, and dedicated education programmes for schools. Comparable in scale, mix of permanent and temporary exhibits, and educational GTM.
• Glasgow Science Centre: Scottish science centre with planetarium, IMAX-style screens, and rotating exhibits. Closest UK comparator in scale and visitor proposition to Life.
• National Space Centre: Leicester-based science centre with the UK's largest planetarium, a major draw for school groups and families. Directly comparable in mission, exhibit mix (space + interactive science), and educational programming model.
• Eureka! The National Children's Museum: Halifax-based interactive museum for children, with strong family and school programming. Comparable in audience mix (young families and primary schools) and hands-on exhibit philosophy.
• We The Curious: Bristol-based hands-on science centre with a strong all-ages educational mission, school programming, and evening adult events — directly comparable in positioning to Life.
• Catalyst Science Discovery Centre: Widnes-based science discovery centre with chemistry/industry heritage and family education focus. Comparable in scale, charity model, and school workshop-driven revenue.
• Techniquest: Cardiff-based science discovery centre focused on interactive STEM exhibits and school workshops. Comparable as a regional UK science centre with curriculum-linked education revenue.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Observatory Greenwich: Historic London observatory and visitor attraction with planetarium shows and astronomy-themed programming. Comparable as an astronomy/space heritage attraction, though it sits within a much larger museum group.
• Science Museum (London): London's flagship science museum and part of the Science Museum Group; operates at a much larger scale and portfolio level. Comparable category leader setting audience expectations for regional science centres.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scienceatlife
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/scienceatlife
• Facebookfacebook.com/scienceatlife
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-life
• Instagraminstagram.com/scienceatlife

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Life Science Centre