GFirst LEP confirms first Growth Hub Network partners

GFirst LEP has approved the first partners to provide location specific support to Gloucestershire’s businesses across all corners of the county, for the expanding Growth Hub Network.

Confirmed partners, The Gloucestershire Libraries and Tewkesbury Borough Council, are keen to strengthen the Gloucestershire business community by providing the most innovative support in local venues.

Using funding from the £77.5 million allocated from Government in the Gloucestershire Growth Deal, GFirst LEP is creating a network of Growth Hubs across the county, enabling businesses to access enhanced services from a range of locations.

Gloucestershire Libraries will provide impartial advice and guidance, signposting customers seeking specialist business advice to the most appropriate resource, whilst utilising the specialist services at the 31 libraries, all from the heart of local communities.

Tewkesbury Borough Council will offer Growth Hub services to 4,000 businesses located in the borough, from its Public Services Centre. Promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the area, whilst extending the reach of business services, this partnership will provide support to businesses in Tewkesbury borough from pre-start through to existing businesses looking to grow. 

The Growth Hub Network forms an integral part of the growth plans with an investment of £5 million. Ensuring that location isn’t a barrier for businesses to get the support they need, the Growth Hub Network will offer a mix of resource centres, delivered with a range of partners in strategic locations across the county. In return for capital investment, partners will work with the core Growth Hub to deliver a Growth Hub service to businesses in their locality.

Sarah Danson, Senior Project Manager of the Growth Hub Network at GFirst LEP said: “The partnership with the University of Gloucestershire to deliver Phase 1 of the Growth Hub has been a huge success, and now Phase 2 is pushing forward with our first two partners confirmed; we are excited to see the Network starting to take shape.

We have seen a great response from interested partners to help us strengthen and grow the Growth Hub, and its services. Giving businesses greater opportunities to access the best type of tailored support for their needs with widespread physical locations, supported by a comprehensive online Growth Hub, will ensure that Gloucestershire’s businesses have access to the best solutions available in the county.”