Taunton: Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation set to open

A multi-million pound "digital innovation" business centre is set to open in Somerset in May.

The Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation (FCDI), in Taunton, is set to offer businesses facilities such as an audio-visual podcast room, superfast broadband and video conferencing.

Owned and operated by Somerset Council, FCDI has already held some events where delegates previewed the facilities.

Somerset Councillor Ros Wyke said it would "drive innovation-led growth".

The centre has been made possible after more than £7.3m of external funding was secured, including from the EU's European Regional Development Fund (£1.69m), the government's Getting Building Funding ((£5.45m) and Growth Deal funding (£235,000).

This is in addition to a £3.6m investment from Somerset Council, which was secured ahead of the creation of the unitary council.

The centre says it will also offer grade-A office suites, co-working, collaboration and event space over four floors.

Ms Wyke said: "FCDI forms part of our £40m network of innovation centres across the county, delivered largely through external funding and operated at nil cost to the council."

Founder of Tech South West, Dan Pritchard, said their recent AI South West event, hosted at FCDI, had worked well.

"There was a great energy, the set up was ideal for networking and lightning talks," he said.

Close proximity to the station was also useful for people attending across the region, he added.

Somerset Council has now awarded a contract to develop the land immediately adjacent to FCDI, with work due to have started in March.

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