5 Getting Building Fund Projects By GFirst LEP

Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, GFirst LEP secures £11.3 million to help the county recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. The funding, from central Government, is there to kick-start the economy and is part of central Government’s £900million nationwide ‘Getting Building Fund’.

GFirst LEP worked closely with public, private and voluntary sectors to submit bids that were ‘shovel ready’, would create jobs, aid recovery and support the green agenda. Many of the ambitions were identified in GFirst LEP’s draft Local Industrial Strategy that was published in late 2019.

The ‘Minster Innovation Exchange’ with Cheltenham Borough Council – this low carbon modular construction will deliver innovative co-working space in central Cheltenham. It will provide a purpose-built performance, event and community venue, and connect to the High Street through upgraded historic linkages from the Cheltenham Minster grounds. It will also act as a pilot for developments at the Cyber Central campus – allocated £3.114 million.

‘The Gloucestershire Applied Digital Skills Centre’ with Cirencester College – building a new landmark building, modelled on digital industries delivering the skills needed in the Cyber and Digital sectors – allocated £4.48 million.

‘Cyber Incubation Units’ with Gloucestershire College – creating a range of new office space, shared and dedicated laboratories, workshops and co-working facilities designed specifically for high-tech, cyber-based entrepreneurs and innovators, with access to educational facilities – allocated £950,000.

‘The Digital Innovation Farm’ with Hartpury University and Hartpury College - creating new innovation and demonstration workspace for high growth SMEs in the growth phase already operating within the agri-tech sector to explore, test, trial, research and develop products, or enhance existing ones – allocated £1.25 million.

‘A Construction Education Centre’ with the KW Bell Group Ltd in Cinderford - a brand new multipurpose conference and training facility to be based in the heart of the Forest of Dean. Thoughtfully designed to link the construction industry with education by providing a learning environment that is digitally advanced, safe, interactive and relevant. The Centre will be co-funded by a privately-owned family business, which has been in operation for over 50 years, founded in, and operating within, the Forest of Dean – allocated £1.956 million.