Stroud Growth Hub opens after nearly two years of delays
A business centre and co-working space in Gloucestershire has opened after nearly two years of delays.
The Growth Hub in Stroud, which is based at SGS College, was initially due to open in March 2020 but was forced to postpone its official launch because of the pandemic.
It has still been providing online support for businesses during that time, but is now inviting companies from Gloucestershire into the centre on Stratford Road.
The hub is part of the Gloucestershire Growth Hub Network and includes three private offices and a meeting room for hire, free co-working space for professionals, and networking sessions.
It also offers workshops and one-to-one sessions for businesses that meet European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) eligibility criteria.
Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie visited the site on Friday (October 22) along with a number of guests and local businesses to mark the official opening.
Sara-Jane Watkins, principal of SGS College, said: “SGS College is a huge supporter of The Growth Hub Network and we are delighted to be able to further support developing and growing local businesses within the Stroud area and enabling innovators to achieve their ambitions and make their great ideas become reality.”
(Image: Andrew Higgins/Thousand Word Media.com)
The funding for the hub is from the Local Growth Fund distributed to Local Enterprise Partnerships via Growth Deals with Government. GFirst LEP has made three successful applications for Growth Deal funding so far, totalling £101.7m.
David Owen, chief executive of GFirst LEP, added: “We are delighted to see The Growth Hub, Stroud welcome businesses through the doors for their official opening.
“The Growth Hub team have done an incredible job providing support online throughout the pandemic and now they are finally able to offer face-to-face support and workspace for growing SMEs.
“This launch is a real testament to the collaboration, shared vision and dedication to delivering the very best level of business support to every Gloucestershire business that needs it.”
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