Two new business-boosting Enterprise Centres have joined the Somerset network with the completion and handover of purpose-built units in Wells and Wiveliscombe thanks to Somerset County Council and partners.

The Wiveliscombe centre, located on the old Karro’s Food Group site at Sandy Moor Lane, offers 10 two-person offices and seven small light industrial units suitable for a solo or two-person business.

The centre in Cathedral Park, Wells, has 10 two-person offices and two four- person offices. It has a further five industrial units that would suit 1 to 2 people per unit.

Both centres have been co-funded by Growth Deal and European Regional Development Funding, as well as investment from Somerset County Council. They are fitted out with superfast broadband, bookable meeting rooms, kitchens and toilets, electric car charging points and bike sheds.

Kier Construction has led the build on both sites together with Grainge Architects and the County Council’s Property and Economy teams. The units will be managed by the Torbay Development Agency.

Councillor David Hall, Cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning and Community Infrastructure, said: “Now, more than ever, it’s vitally important that we do all we can to encourage businesses in Somerset and enable them to thrive and grow.

“These two new centres will provide opportunities for small businesses to set up and expand in largely rural areas. I am delighted we are at the point of delivery.”

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP said: “We want small businesses in every region of the country to have the space and investment they need to grow and thrive.

“That’s why this Government invested over £1.2 million in the development of two new Enterprise Centres in Wells and Wiveliscombe and I’m delighted to see that these spaces are now completed and handed over, offering a vital boost to the local economy.”

Enterprise centres provide modern, accessible space for small and growing businesses – something that can be hard to find in rural areas. They provide easy in and easy out terms to make it as straightforward and low risk as possible for businesses to access and aim to encourage suitable businesses to take their next step.

The new centres will join the existing enterprise centre portfolio of sites in Dulverton (Barle); Frome (Keyford); Wheddon Cross (Market); Highbridge; Minehead and Williton.

Further information on all centres can be found on https://www.somerset-enterprise-centres.co.uk/

Notes to editors

The Heart of the South West LEP’s total Growth Deal is worth £590m; including £239m from Government and £351m match funding. Over the lifetime of the Growth Deal: 2015 – 2021; HotSW LEP estimates the investment will create up to 26,930 new jobs and 18,242 new homes.

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone.

That’s why by 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

Some additional key facts:

• There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England
• The government has awarded £9.1bn in three rounds of Growth Deals to local areas to drive economic growth.
• LEPs are investing in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.

Both projects combined have received £1,035,893 (Wells = £563,763 and Wiveliscombe = £472,130) of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

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