A wide ranging package of support was announced by Economy Minister Edwina Hart yesterday (Monday June 9) to help revitalise Newport, bring business life back into the city centre while also supporting the growth of the digital economy across Wales.
Speaking at the Welsh Government’s flagship technology event, Digital 2014 at the Celtic Manor Resort, the Minister announced the following initiatives – a number of which are recommendations from the Newport Business Development Task Force:
A Digital Innovation Company focused on the digital economy will be established in Newport to accelerate the commercialisation of ideas and act as a digital innovation hub to attract research funds, inward investors and supporting the growth of SME’s.
Negotiations are at an advanced stage to purchase prestigious offices near Newport city centre to provide flexible accommodation for start ups, SMEs and growth companies to overcome the current lack of capacity to attract inward investors and allow development of clusters.
A Digital Tuesday Club will be hosted on the first Tuesday of every month at Celtic Manor for start-ups, SMEs and established businesses to meet, network, talk technology and share ideas. The aim is to harness ideas and create lucrative partnerships.
Digital Youth Clubs will be held in Newport city centre on the first Saturday of the month – the workshops are aimed at under 18s interested in understanding and learning about software and technology and how to develop programmes.
A new inward investment marketing brochure is to be launched to position Newport as the location of choice for digital businesses.
The Minister said: “ICT is integral to businesses of all sizes and in all sectors across Wales and its optimisation could generate a further £1.5bn to the economy over the next five years. The initiatives announced today from the private and public sectors will help stimulate growth and interest in this sector across Wales, support the development of the digital economy and will build on the strengths of the sector in Newport.
“I am also pleased that many of these initiatives support the recommendations of the Task Force that was set up to revitalise business life in the city centre and build on the existing strengths in the ICT and digital sectors identified in the Newport area.”
Simon Gibson OBE, chair of reNewport Task Force said “It is particularly pleasing to see Welsh Government move quickly to address one of the key recommendations made by the reNewport Taskforce.
“The investment to establish a digital innovation company in Newport City Centre will undoubtedly create a focus that will attract new opportunities, jobs and prosperity for the local economy and Wales. This investment will be supported by the acquisition of suitable working space that will together act as a lever for attracting high quality, innovative digital projects and activity into Newport.”
Sir Terry Matthews, Chairman of Wesley Clover and Founder of the Digital Tuesday Club, said: “I know what it’s like to be a technology entrepreneur when the opportunity to step away from your work and talk with like-minded people can spark the next big idea.
“Digital Tuesdays have created this space for businesses in North America and the economy has prospered. That’s what we’re certain will happen here in Newport and I’m thrilled the Welsh Government and Celtic Manor are supporting the venture here in Wales.”
