New businesses and jobs are on the way for Highbridge next year with the expansion of the town’s Enterprise Centre.

Planning permission has been granted to add three more light industrial units on the site which is already home to 17 businesses and 25 jobs.

Jointly funded by Somerset County Council and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, the £490,000 expansion is scheduled to be completed by September 2017 providing 234 square metres of new space.

“This is excellent news for Highbridge and for Somerset,” said Councillor David Hall, Cabinet member for Economy and Inward Investment. “Supporting more businesses in the community will mean more jobs in the local area.

“Small businesses are the engine of the Somerset economy – it’s where most of our growth comes from. Finding the right sort of space is a real barrier to these businesses setting up and expanding, which is why we have established the Enterprise Centre network across the county.

“I look forward to this project’s completion and seeing what new and exciting businesses make their home in Highbridge.”

There are 17 businesses already based at Highbridge Enterprise Centre, including Puddy Vehicle Solutions (PVS), this year’s winner of “New Business of the Year Award” at Somerset Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

The owner of PVS, Marcus Puddy, said: “Moving into the Enterprise Centre has allowed me to bring on an additional employee to support the continued growth of the business. Being in nice, friendly, accommodating facilities, the Enterprise Centre allows you to talk to like-minded people and support each other through those growth challenges.

“What I have also experienced is the opportunity to network in and around the area. They support you with breakfast meetings and allow you to understand what is happening in and around the community.

“The Enterprise Centre has exceed all my expectations and brought about some really good professional relationships.”

Highbridge is one of five Enterprise Centres across the county providing light industrial and office space, particularly in more rural areas.

Together with the others in Frome, Dulverton, Wheddon Cross and Minehead; the network supports 45 businesses and more than 100 jobs.

Businesses based at Highbridge Enterprise Centre include:

• Webtake UK
• Smalls Dredging UK
• Keith Cappa Photography
• Airhead Animation
• Crossways Training
• Puddy Vehicle Solutions
• Local Reach
• Auditel
• PVL
• Cloud Guy
• Bearings South West
• KD Group
• Mitch Jones (NLP / Cambridge Weight Plan)
• VDM Ltd
• Silver Island Properties
• Equestrian Estates
• Little Slingers

Interviews with other businesses based at Highbridge Enterprise Centre can be viewed here:

Stuart Grantham from Webtek UK https://youtu.be/0ulRRKCj_FQ

Paul Costigan from Smalls Dredging UK https://youtu.be/THO4hBeGyo8