It was the end of an era as the University of Gloucestershire staged a showcase event on Wednesday 22 March to celebrate the achievements of two of its hugely successful business support projects, Start and Grow Enterprise and The Growth Hub.
Attended by former clients of both projects, as well as those involved in their delivery, the event also marked the end of the current funding arrangements for both.
The Start and Grow Enterprise programme was created with EU funding, with the aim of equipping budding entrepreneurs and start-ups with the skills to establish their businesses in Gloucestershire.
It is estimated the programme has boosted Gloucestershire’s economy by £2.2 million, a number predicted to increase to £9.9 million by 2025.
The Gloucester Growth Hub first opened at University of Gloucestershire’s Oxstalls campus in 2014. It has since welcomed more than 30,000 people through its doors and its work has resulted in an economic boost estimated at £21.5 million and set to increase to £48.4 million by 2025.
While the current funding arrangements have come to an end the university also unveiled some good news at the event, announcing it has secured money from the Gloucester Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the government's levelling up agenda, to continue offering The Growth Hub’s services at its current location on the Oxstalls campus.
This means there will still be help available to SMEs and start-ups, as well as larger organisations.
To find out more about The Growth Hub, visit thegrowthhub.biz.
