Could seaside town be the next UK business hot spot?

By Jill Dando News

A high-profile business and tech group has plans to open a new hub to accelerate business start-ups and ambitious entrepreneurs.

The Ascot Group, based at the Park Way next to Worle train station in North Somerset, is considering three locations – Bristol, Bridgwater and Weston-super-Mare.

The venture would support 100+ ambitious entrepreneurs and is expected to create over 1,000 jobs – which could help shape the future of Weston-super-Mare if the new hub opens in the town.

Ascot Group CEO Andrew Scott said: “The region is well served by co-working space and serviced offices for freelancers and small businesses, but ambitious entrepreneurs need a unique blend of facilities and support, and we are well placed to offer this.

“The plans for the new business hub include access to investors and funding options, high-growth business mentoring and links with some of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs and advisors.

“Over the years the Ascot Group has worked with hundreds of world-class CEO’s and the leading private equity, venture capital and angel investors in Europe. We are now going to bring all of this to the South West.”

The Ascot Group operates from London and Weston-super-Mare, where it employs 80 people across two sites. The Group includes Purplex Marketing, Insight Data and Business Leader Magazine – the UK’s leading media platform for entrepreneurs.

“Having access to the resources and support at the Ascot Group, including the benefits of Britain’s top business publication with over 100,000 readers, will give start-ups and ambitious entrepreneurs in the South West an incredible advantage.”

The final decision of where to locate the business hub is now under consideration.

Andrew added: “We have had a great deal of interest from Bristol and Bridgwater, but if we can get the support we need from local authorities and stakeholders in Weston-super-Mare, that would be our preferred option and it would be great to create hundreds of new jobs in the area.”