Somerset County Council has approved funding which paves the way for a new £11m Digital Innovation Centre at the Firepool site in Taunton.

The centre will be a flagship development for Taunton, building on local strengths in the digital sector and forming a key part of plans for recovery and transformation of the Somerset economy, including creation of high-quality jobs.

The new 2,613 square-metre building will provide high-quality office, workshop, collaboration, and meeting space over four floors, as well as specialist collaboration support services targeted at digital economy businesses.

Somerset County Council approved several recommendations last week to enable the scheme to go ahead.

This includes a funding agreement with Government for £1.7m of anticipated European funding, establishing lease arrangements, and entering into a construction contract. Construction works are expected to start in Autumn 2021.

Somerset County Council Leader Cllr David Fothergill said: “I am delighted to sign off the Delivery Agreement to move forward with the new Digital Innovation Centre in Taunton.

“This scheme will help Somerset meet the demand for high-quality business accommodation for digital businesses in Somerset.

“The centre will see a number of highly-skilled jobs created and contribute to improving economic productivity and prosperity in Somerset.”

Somerset County Council is working closely with Somerset West & Taunton Council on the project, and it is hoped the new Digital Innovation Centre will be a catalyst for the Firepool site and a hub for Somerset’s growing digital economy.

The project also involves funding contributions from Somerset County Council, Somerset West & Taunton Council, the Heart of the Southwest Local Enterprise Partnership. Further details of the Key Decision can be found here.  

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