The brand new South Devon Business Centre in Paignton celebrated its launch this week. Located in the flagship Hi Tech & Digital Centre at South Devon College, the Business Centre provides 16 dedicated work spaces for individual business units as well as two large, open plan collaboration zones.
Businesses relocating to the centre will benefit from 24/7 access to their offices and meeting rooms. There is also business support and insight into hi tech and digital opportunities.
So far, 10 tech companies have already signed up to relocate to the centre and be part of its exciting new business community in the heart of the hi tech, digital and creative education environment.
The innovative 17 million Hi Tech & Digital Centre provides a visionary facility for further education and training support towards the ever-expanding hi tech, manufacturing, digital and creative sectors across Torbay, South Devon and wider regions.
The centre aims to inspire the local community by showcasing the latest in world class technology and equipment. The interior layout has been designed to follow cutting edge principles in future proofing an outstanding teaching and learning environment. Great emphasis is being placed on flexibility of space, the importance and need for social and collaborative study areas and layouts of rooms which will mirror workplace processes and practice.
The facilities are available for training and education, with a focus on supporting the rapidly expanding sector in Torbay and surrounding areas. It is expected that with the learning environment and tech businesses on site it creates the ideal opportunity for students to enhance their learning experience through having the opportunity to work together in the live business environment in the business centre.
Heather Burton, Operations Officer for Business Centres South West, who operate the centre, said: “The launch was a fantastic way to get all the businesses who are relocating to the centre together to start to build our tech business community. The centre provides a progressive environment for small tech start-ups and early stage tech businesses looking to grow. With the centre being part of South Devon College the businesses also have access to a pool of skilled people who would be perfect for apprenticeship opportunities.”
Laurence Frewin, Principal and CEO of South Devon College, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with TDA to support the development and investment into the hi tech, creative and manufacturing businesses in Torbay. The South Devon Business Centre is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs, current students and prospective business to be able to collaborate in our fantastic facilities that will hopefully enable the development of budding new business ideas and products in the local area and beyond.”
South Devon Business Centre is part of a growing portfolio of specialist centres ready for new and growing businesses across Torbay. To find out more about workspace available across Devon and Somerset visit www.tda-business.com.