Taunton’s long-awaited digital innovation hub, the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation (FCDI), is set to open in early May after more than two years of construction. The Somerset County Council commenced the construction of the £11 million FCDI in November 2021, following the approval of planning permission for the Taunton facility in February of the same year. The hub offers a base for small and medium-sized businesses in the digital sector.
The building, located at the northern end of the Firepool site near the Taunton railway station, was funded with £7.3 million from external sources, including the government’s getting building fund, the European Union’s European regional development fund, and growth deal funding from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. The council contributed the remaining £3.6 million through its capital programme and will maintain ownership of the facility throughout its lifespan.
The FCDI features four floors of flexible office space, event spaces, co-working hubs, a reception area, and a café. Equipped with ultrafast broadband and a dedicated audio-visual podcast room, the hub aims to drive innovation-led growth in the digital sector, create and safeguard jobs, and support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in Somerset.
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The facility has already hosted various events, including a cyber-security conference and a Tech South West AI network evening, receiving positive feedback from attendees. Additionally, the wider Firepool regeneration scheme, which combines residential, commercial, and cultural development, has been progressing with the completion of a new access road and connections to the local sewer system.
In the near future, the delivery of new boulevards and active travel routes through the Firepool site will further enhance the area’s connectivity. The Firepool regeneration project aligns with the council’s commitment to supporting innovation and driving economic growth in Somerset’s key sectors.
For more information about the FCDI and upcoming tours, visit www.fcdi.co.uk or contact [email protected].