Funding has been approved for a new £11 million Digital Innovation Centre at the Firepool site in Taunton.

The centre will be a flagship development for Taunton, building on local strengths in the digital sector and forming a key part of plans for recovery and transformation of the Somerset economy, including creation of high-quality jobs.

The new 2,613 square-metre building will provide high-quality office, workshop, collaboration, and meeting space over four floors, as well as specialist collaboration support services targeted at digital economy businesses.

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Somerset County Council approved several recommendations to enable the scheme to go ahead.

This includes a funding agreement with Government for £1.7m of anticipated European funding, establishing lease arrangements, and entering into a construction contract. Construction works are expected to start in Autumn 2021.

Somerset County Council is working closely with Somerset West & Taunton Council on the project, and it is hoped the new Digital Innovation Centre will be a catalyst for the Firepool site and a hub for Somerset’s growing digital economy.