The Growth Hub, now open for business!

The doors of The Growth Hub open to Gloucestershire businesses today.

An investment of £10 million, requested as part of GFirst LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan, has given an additional boost to the single front door to business support in the county. The Growth Deal announcement including the investment from Government will see Growth Hub services delivered right across Gloucestershire.

Based at Oxstalls Campus, University of Gloucestershire, The Growth Hub is now open as the go-to-place for businesses. It brings together a fantastic range of expertise, skills and connections, as well as the resources and capability to build new products and services with clients if they don’t already exist locally.

Working with agencies including UKTI and local organisations that offer growth support and advice, The Growth Hub offers solutions for all businesses of all sizes. The team will work closely with clients to identify their needs, offering a range of tried and tested business services, and some innovative solutions that will support local businesses to be market leaders and reach their growth potential.

David Owen, Chief Executive of GFirst LEP said: “We are thrilled to be part of this exciting and unique partnership. It’s great for the LEP to be located within the Growth Hub in the fantastic new space opening today. The business services are designed to boost the development of companies, increase exports, fast-track entrepreneurial start-ups, and support the business community so they can achieve their growth aspirations.

The funding GFirst LEP received from Government in the historic Growth Deal earlier this year has been a great help in the launch of the Growth Hub; showing a great belief by Government that significant economic growth will be achieved across the county, driving innovation and growth with Gloucestershire’s local businesses.”

Commenting on the Growth Hub plans during his visit to the new site at the development stages, former Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: “The partnership has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship and I have seen first-hand how this is having a tangible impact on the local economy.”

Gloucestershire’s record on new start-ups is already great, with over 5,000 businesses being set up every year and one of the highest success rates for business survival over a three year period, The Growth Hub will be the place to go for businesses to access all the support they need. With The Hub offering a diverse range of co-ordinated services, it will deliver a tailored business service for companies whilst providing a free diagnosis of what a business needs to grow.

Laura Crabb, Director of Business Development at The Growth Hub, said: “The further investment from GFirst LEP has really made plans for The Growth Hub come to life. The unique partnership has meant we will be able to provide more services, at a faster pace; whilst putting in place an infrastructure throughout the county to make it even easier for businesses to access support and advice.”

It will indeed be even easier for businesses to access the services of The Growth Hub, with the development of ‘spoke’ locations across the districts of Gloucestershire. These will essentially be mini versions of the main centre at Oxstalls – a place to meet and network, host start-up businesses and receive professional advice and support.

If your business needs support and you would like to learn more about the services The Growth Hub can offer you, come and visit the new innovative space and book an appointment with our team of experts. There are further details on The Growth Hub website www.the growthhub.biz. 

 

Get Connected!

Come and explore the exciting new innovative space, when The Growth Hub hosts the next Gloucestershire Media Get Connected event. On 2nd December from 6-8pm, you will be able to speak to teams from GFirst LEP and the Growth Hub to find out more about what’s on offer. To register your interest in attending this event, please email Maggie Bell from Gloucestershire Media on maggie.bell@glosmedia.co.uk.