Welsh firm wins deal to head Sussex digital hub

Caerphilly-based Town Square Spaces Ltd has secured a 10-year contract to head up a new creative digital hub in Bognor Regis – the company’s first hub outside of Wales. Following a competitive tender process, Town Square Spaces was chosen by West Sussex County Council to lead the project, which is expected to generate more than £1m for the West Sussex economy in its first five years.

The Creative Digital Hub will be located within the recently-refurbished Grade II-listed Bognor Regis Railway Station and will support creative and digital start-ups, freelancers and entrepreneurs in Bognor Regis and coastal West Sussex.

Town Square Spaces, which also manages the Wrexham Enterprise Hub on behalf of Business Wales, is run by Mandy Weston and Gareth Jones, who co-founded Welsh ICE before moving on to their new venture in October 2017.

Town Square Spaces founder Gareth Jones said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed as operators of the Bognor Regis Creative Digital Hub and are excited to get work under way.

“We’ve already begun drawing up plans to create a welcoming community of creative and digital start-ups and small businesses, which will be made easier thanks to the beautiful surroundings of the newly-refurbished historical building.

“Connections and transport are a vital part of co-working, and they don’t come much better than being situated in a railway station.

“There’s a huge amount of potential in Bognor Regis and we’re proud to be the team that will help give the next wave of entrepreneurs the supportive start they need.

“Coastal towns like Bognor Regis are often overlooked, but this is where some of the most exciting and endearing business journeys begin. We’ve seen it in Caerphilly and Wrexham, and now we are excited to use the expertise and experience built in Wales to support our contracts across the UK and beyond.”

The hub is scheduled to open later this year and until the official launch, Town Square Spaces will work with West Sussex partners and businesses to engage with the creative digital community in Bognor Regis.

Collaboration has already begun, with the Hub being designed by Hemingway Design, led by internationallyrenowned designer and West Sussex resident Wayne Hemingway.

West Sussex County Council leader Louise Goldsmith commented: “This is a really exciting initiative which will nurture local entrepreneurial talent and I am delighted to say that, following a competitive selection process, the successful bidder is Town Square Spaces Ltd.

“The company will bring a wealth of experience to the role of managing the hub space and working with local partners to deliver business support activities for creative and digital businesses.”