TAUNTON’S eagerly-awaited, multi million-pound digital innovation centre at Firepool is set to officially open its doors.

The purpose-built Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation (FCDI), owned and operated by Somerset Council, has already held a number of events, giving previews of the facilities.

More than £7m of external funding – including from the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (£1.69 million) – was secured for the project, as well as £5.45m from the Government’s Getting Building Fund and Growth Deal funding (£235k).

Somerset West & Taunton Council, before the merger to become Somerset Council, invested £3.6m in the scheme.

The FCDI will offer “grade A office suites, co-working, collaboration and event space over four floors”, a council spokesperson said.

Cllr Ros Wyke, lead member for economic development, planning and assets at Somerset Council, said: “FCDI forms part of our £40 million network of innovation centres across the county, delivered largely through external funding and operated at nil cost to the council.

“The fact that we have, once again, successfully secured such significant external funding underlines our commitment to supporting innovation in Somerset’s key growth sectors.

“The centre will drive innovation-led growth in the digital sector, create and safeguard jobs, and provide small and medium sized businesses with the right support to grow their businesses in Somerset.”

Development is finally happening on the Firepool site in Taunton. Picture: Google

FCDI will offer businesses an array of facilities including a dedicated audio-visual podcast room, ultrafast broadband and video conferencing.

It also acts as a conference venue, and has already welcomed events including a cyber security conference hosted by the SW Cyber Resilience Centre, the SW Infrastructure Partnership’s annual conference and a Tech South West AI network evening.

Dan Pritchard, founder of Tech South West, said: “Our recent AI South West event at The Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation worked really well.

“There was a great energy, the set up was ideal for networking and lightning talks. Being right next to the station was good, especially when we had people from across the region attending.

“It’s bang in the centre and has a great open space, good tech – it’s all kitted out. It’s a good location for events and I’m sure for innovative companies looking for a home and hub to be part of.”

FCDI sits on the northern edge of the landmark Firepool site.

Somerset Council have now awarded a contract to develop the land immediately adjacent to FCDI – known as the Northern Boulevard – with work due to start this month.

The work will include the boulevard alongside FCDI from Trenchard Way to Canal Road, public realm around the existing buildings/plots and linking the new Trenchard Way junction to Canal Road.

Towards the end of April there will be a number of tours so that prospective tenants and anyone interested in using the centre can view the facilities.

For more information, visit www.fcdi.co.uk, or email fcdi@somerset.gov.uk.