Supporting Economic Growth in Gloucestershire

The Royal Agricultural University is delighted to host the GFirst LEP Annual Review on Friday 16th September – and afterwards we’re inviting delegates to join us at Trent Lodge to view our new premises.

Earlier this year, the GFirst LEP Board approved £2.9 million of funding for the Farm491 project. Farm491 provides Gloucestershire’s start-up businesses great opportunities for business growth, with access to the Royal Agricultural University’s enviable support and knowledge network of farmers, entrepreneurs and academics, as well as a vibrant working environment with great potential to benefit the wider land based sector. Trent Lodge is the first part of the development, which has opened offering office space for up to 30 agritech businesses.

At the annual review, GFirst LEP will be looking at the progress of a number of projects countrywide that £77.5 million of funding, allocated to Gloucestershire in the 2014 Growth Deal, has helped to kick start – as well as looking forward to upcoming projects and ideas to continue growth in the county.

Set up by central Government in 2011 to work with local businesses, local voluntary organisations and local authorities, the role of GFirst LEP is to drive sustainable economic growth in the county, and by doing so, create jobs and business opportunities. By 2022, Gloucestershire will be a county with even more world class businesses and a reputation for starting, growing, attracting and retaining a diverse range of companies. Gloucestershire will have the right skills and the right infrastructure to support business growth and a reputation that attracts national and international companies to invest here.

Angela Simkins, Farm491 Centre Director says; “We’re really looking forward to being a part of the GFirst LEP Annual Review this week and welcome guests to join us at Trent Lodge afterwards. Trent Lodge is the first phase of the Farm491 development to benefit from the GFirst LEP funding – and we’re excited to show it off to everyone!”