Digital hub to help develop new businesses and give people much-needed IT skills approved

A planned £3 million digital centre aimed at supporting new businesses and helping people get IT savvy in Bloxwich has cleared another hurdle. Walsall Council's planning committee gave the green light for Bloxwich Launchpad to be created in Market Space, at a meeting on Thursday (April 25).

Members of the committee backed the plans unanimously without any debate. The project will see the empty old Post Office building transformed with the centre providing around 300 metres of converted floorspace.

It is part of the Bloxwich Town Deal and has received Government Town Deal funding as part of the £25million in total that has been secured for Bloxwich. Walsall Council bought the building following the closure of the Post Office last year, which has relocated to Tradeworld on Bloxwich High Street.

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Work will be carried out to refurbish and extend the building and it is hoped to be completed and Bloxwich Launchpad ready for use early in 2025. A report to committee said: "A key focus is the improvement of broadband connectivity and the development of digital skills and higher value jobs.

"The proposed scheme comprises the refurbishment and extension of the former Post Office building to form a community and learning building with associated landscaping. In more detail, the proposal is for the creation of a training space and digital access centre at the former Post Office to be called Launchpad Bloxwich. The scheme would support start-ups and small businesses whilst offering digital connectivity and training for the community.

"The scheme would combine several community-related functions into one facility. The ground floor would provide a space to support users of the facility to gain access to digital assets and online portals, with desktop PCs available to members of the public to use informally as ‘drop-in’ visitors or as part of training courses run by the centre or third-party bodies.

"The facilities would be supported by a cafe area, meeting rooms and WC’s. The first floor is focused on providing support for local people looking to grow business ideas and as a base for creative, digital and professional services providers to create a first step for start-up companies.

"The form follows the function of a coworking environment with serviced desks available to users alongside meeting spaces within a support community. It is envisaged that the average capacity of the building will be between 30-40 users with support from a small number of staff (3-4 people)."

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