£7.3m flagship business and innovation hub opening in Hereford

The Shell Centre will offer office spaces for new and growing businesses

Author: Isabel Kimbrey and Phoebe GreggorPublished 4th Jun 2021
Last updated 4th Jun 2021

A new £7.3m business and innovation hub is being opened in Hereford.

The Shell Centre will offer office space and conference rooms for new and growing businesses to set up and expand alongside facilities for development and innovation.

The refurbishment of the derelict WW1 building has established more than 2,100 sq metres of employment space.

The building also provides access to modern, accessible business meeting and conference space, as well as an onsite café, providing facilities to encourage networking and collaboration.

The 25 business incubation units are forecast to generate around 128 new jobs by 2023, rising to more than 450 by 2031.

It's being officially opened today by MP Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State Ministry Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Councillor David Hitchner, leader of Herefordshire Council says "Its a great opportunity for entrepreneurship for small business. I hope it'll become a community space for entrepreneurs.

"It's not just office space, there's units for research and development too. There's a great opportunity to work with other businesses and grow.

"The average wage in Herefordshire is low, and anything we can do to attract more jobs, especially in the high tech industry, will be positive for the community.

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