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A business centre and co-working space in Gloucestershire has opened after nearly two years of delays.

The Growth Hub in Stroud, which is based at SGS College, was initially due to open in March 2020 but was forced to postpone its official launch because of the pandemic.

It has still been providing online support for businesses during that time, but is now inviting companies from Gloucestershire into the centre on Stratford Road.

The hub is part of the Gloucestershire Growth Hub Network and includes three private offices and a meeting room for hire, free co-working space for professionals, and networking sessions.

It also offers workshops and one-to-one sessions for businesses that meet European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) eligibility criteria.

Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie visited the site on Friday (October 22) along with a number of guests and local businesses to mark the official opening.

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."

The funding for the hub is from the Local Growth Fund distributed to Local Enterprise Partnerships via Growth Deals with Government. GFirst LEP has made three successful applications for Growth Deal funding so far, totalling £101.7m.