A NEW £1million enterprise park in Highbridge is set to officially open later this month with hopes it will attract national as well as local business interest.

The £1.16million enterprise centre next to Highbridge’s Isleport recycling centre will be declared opened for business on March 25.

It will become a home for more than 30 small businesses with many already confirming they want to relocate there.

Local businesses Solec and Keith Cappa Photography are among those due to move into the centre this month.

Duncan McLean, director of Solec, said: “As a growing company, I need space to expand my business from an accessible location, just off the M5, so I am really pleased to be taking a unit at the Highbridge Enterprise Centre.”

The centre comprises three light industrial units, flexible office space and meeting rooms and is equipped with fibre optic broadband.

New and expanding businesses based at the centre will also be able to access free advice through the South West Business Centres organisation, which manages the site on behalf of Somerset County Council.

The centre also hopes to attract business interest from outside the county by maximising on opportunities presented by future, high-profile developments, like the proposed Hinkley Point C power station.

Cllr David Hall, cabinet member for business and inward investment at Somerset County Council, said: “This impressive and modern Enterprise Centre is a fantastic resource and an emblem of this Council’s continued commitment to fuelling business innovation and investment in Somerset.

“I am glad to say that in addition to the tenants who are now moving into the centre, we have received reservations for two of the offices. I am very much looking forward to the opening event.”

Steve Hindley, chairman of Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership said: “I am delighted to see the results of the Rural Growth Network offering great facilities for growing businesses.

“The easy-in and easy-out leasing options, as well as a low monthly overhead, will appeal to many businesses operating around Highbridge.

“We expect local people working within the knowledge economy to be interested in benefitting from high quality workspace, free business support and the chance to network with like-minded individuals.”

Businesses interested in finding out more about how the centre can benefit them can contact Adrian Sheen on 07919 696939 or by email at info@swbusinesscentres.co.uk