GFirst LEP has approved partners in the districts of Stroud and the Forest of Dean for the expanding Growth Hub Network

The Growth Hub is strengthening its presence in the county with confirmed partners Makespace@ the Malthouse in Stroud; and Vantage Point Business Village in the Forest of Dean.

The Growth Hub is strengthening its presence in the county with confirmed partners Makespace@ the Malthouse in Stroud; and Vantage Point Business Village in the Forest of Dean.

Using funding from the £106.6 million allocated from Government in the Gloucestershire Growth Deal, GFirst LEP is bolstering its network of Growth Hubs across the county, enabling businesses to access enhanced services from locations in each of the county’s districts.

The Growth Hub Network forms an integral part of the growth plans with an investment of £5million. 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 business in their locality.

Makespace @ Malthouse in Stroud will deliver generic business services impartially and free-of-charge to any business, as well as providing specialist expertise in the areas of high-tech manufacturing, rapid prototyping and opening up markets to small-scale artisan makers. This will build on Stroud’s distinctive reputation for creative businesses.

Vantage Point Business Village in the Forest of Dean will create bespoke incubator units for business start-ups, encouraging the growth of small businesses into larger businesses. It will offer co-working facilities, networking opportunities and business support infrastructure required to encourage growth. The network centre will provide impartial support and overcome barriers of travel versus time, accessibility to service. The investment is projected to engage 1750 businesses in the Forest.

Sarah Danson, Growth Hub Manager said: “I am delighted to be announcing these additional partners to the Growth Hub Network which will provide us with a more prominent presence across the county’s districts. This will ensure businesses have greater opportunities to access the best type of tailored support for their needs. Supported by a comprehensive online Growth Hub this will enable Gloucestershire’s businesses to have access to the best solutions available in the county.”