Stroud Growth Hub opens after two year pandemic delay

By Nicky Godding

25 October 2021

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Following fast on the heels of the opening of the Forest of Dean Growth Hub, Stroud Growth Hub has now officially opened, after a lengthy delay of nearly two years due to the global pandemic.

The original launch event was planned for March 2020, but The Growth Hub, Stroud has been providing online support for businesses throughout the pandemic and with the easing of restrictions, is delighted to now welcome businesses through their doors.

Local MP, Siobhan Baillie led the proceedings, special guests and local businesses will attend the event to mark the launch of the go-to place to receive free business support, network, attend workshops, or simply escape the isolation of working from home.

Working as part of the Gloucestershire Growth Hub Network, this investment will bring business support closer to the companies of the Stroud District and a local base they can turn to for growth.

Sara-Jane Watkins, Principal of SGS College, said: “SGS College is a huge supporter of The Growth Hub Network and we are delighted to be able to further support developing and growing local businesses within the Stroud area and enabling innovators to achieve their ambitions and make their great ideas become reality. As a College, we already work with over 2,000 employers annually through apprenticeships, work placements and commercial training, and our new Growth Hub facility is an extension of our already excellent and expert team of employer advisers who are focused on supporting businesses to achieve their full potential.”

David Owen, CEO GFirst LEP said: “We are delighted to see The Growth Hub, Stroud welcome businesses through the doors for their official opening. The Growth Hub team have done an incredible job providing support online throughout the pandemic and now they are finally able to offer face-to-face support and workspace for growing SMEs. This launch is a real testament to the collaboration, shared vision and dedication to delivering the very best level of business support to every Gloucestershire business that needs it.”

The Growth Hub, Stroud includes three private offices available for hire to start-ups and growing businesses. Conveniently located at SGS College, these offices provide a perfect location for entrepreneurs that want to be inspired by a collaborative atmosphere. The free to use co-working space is also ideal for professionals who need a break from working at home and want to make connections with other Gloucestershire businesses.

By Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe.

After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts.

She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.