A new £1.16m Enterprise Centre being built in Highbridge is set to create new jobs and boost the town’s economy when it opens in early 2015, it has been claimed this week.
Work on the new ‘business enterprise hub’ next to Highbridge’s Isleport Recycling Centre is progressing well and will become a base for up to 35 small businesses – although only two have confirmed they will be taking up space so far.
Highbridge County Councillor John Woodman, pictured at the site this week, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is a really important facility for Highbridge that will help small firms to quickly set up in businesses and create new jobs for the town. I’m delighted that it’s on schedule to open early next year.”
A spokeswoman for Somerset County Council added: “We expect the new Enterprise Centre at Highbridge to be ready for businesses to move in early in the New Year.”
She added: “So far 10 local businesses have made enquiries about using the site for their business. Two have already confirmed that they will move into the light industrial units when they are complete.”
“The access and parking for the site is in place and work to build the industrial units, flexible office space and networking areas is also progressing well and nearing completion.”
The project has been part-funded through the Rural Growth Network (RGN), which is an initiative designed to encourage economic growth and enterprise in rural areas across the south west. Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership is working on it with Somerset County Council on behalf of the RGN. For information about the site is available on 07919 696939.
Deputy Leader of Somerset County Council, Cllr David Hall, added: “When finished, it will provide modern facilities to accommodate organisations with the relevant skills and expertise to capitalise on future high-profile development projects such as Hinkley C. We want to make Somerset a place where this sort of industry can flourish and this exciting development is a vital component in our plans.”
