Gedling Borough Council has unveiled plans to create an Enterprise Centre that will support local start ups and small medium enterprises at its flagship AMP business unit in Arnold.
A report has been published by the council that is allocating a significant investment of £655,000 into fitting out the vacant first floor of the building to boost economic growth and provide a space for offices, conference and training room in the heart of Arnold.
The AMP was opened by Gedling Borough Council on the former Arnold Market site in 2022 and is home to several thriving small businesses on the ground floor.
The council always had plans to develop the first floor space and the project has received £655,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund so that work can begin and is expected to be completed by the Autumn.
The project will support several council priorities including revitalising town centres, support economic growth and creating jobs in the area. It will also increase footfall to the town shopping precinct and support the existing businesses in the area.
The council has also recently announced investment plans in the northern part of the town with the purchase of vacant units and the creation of a masterplan for the entire town centre with the aim of attracting investment opportunities following the disappointment of not receiving any UK Government Levelling Up funding in the latest round of bids.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “We’re delighted to be announcing the next phase of work to create an enterprise centre here at the AMP. We want to create a space where we can support local businesses, start ups and entrepreneurs who need office space in the centre of a busy town centre like Arnold.
“We’ve seen how successful our investment to build the AMP building has been. The ground floor has been as all seven units are currently full against a backdrop of difficult economic times for so many.
“We are doing everything we can to bring people to the high street, including continuing to offer two hours free parking in all our car parks and now with this work to transform the first floor, it will create more jobs and support growth in the borough.”
