The Mansion House in Corsham was officially opened today following its transformation into a digital innovation and business hub.

 The newly named Corsham Digital Mansion will create jobs and opportunities for the local area as well as supporting digital and innovative companies from around the south west.

 The project vision, led by Wiltshire Council, delivers on a number of the key objectives of the SWLEP’s Strategic Economic Plan including investing in our increasingly important digital economy and encouraging and supporting the area’s SMEs to invest and grow.

 A modern extension sits alongside the 18th century refurbished Mansion House providing unique office space for digital start-up businesses.  There are 25 offices available which can be rented individually or grouped as well as co-working facilities for 20 people. The hub also has meeting rooms and conference facilities. Companies are already expressing interest in working in the unique surroundings with opportunities for networking and sharing the latest innovations and technology.

The SWLEP invested £2.5m in this digital project to breathe new life into the Corsham landmark, transforming it into the Corsham Digital Mansion. This investment is part of £169m of funding the SWLEP competitively bid for from the Government’s Local Growth Fund that is being invested into Swindon and Wiltshire’s economy by 2021.  

The Digital Mansion project includes:

  • Incubation space for businesses working within the digital and innovation sectors
  • Teaching space to provide related education courses
  • Facilities for businesses, institutions, academia and the public sector to come together to support development around the digital economy

Digital Mansion was officially opened today (22 March) by Paddy Bradley, Director of SWLEP and Baroness Scott of Bybrook, OBE, Leader of Wiltshire Council. Baroness Scott said:

“We are creating something really special here right in the heart of Wiltshire. “We want to attract the brightest and best minds to use this unique space and be supported in taking their ideas forward. At Wiltshire Council we don’t just talk about the economy we actively engage in creating the right space where great ideas can flourish.”

 

John Mortimer, Chairman of the Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: 

“Supporting the growth and strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium sized businesses is one of the investment priorities for the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership. I am delighted to see the completion of this project, the Corsham Digital Mansion will be a hub of collaboration and business growth in Corsham and will build on the town's growing reputation for digital communication and technologies.”

 

Minister for Local Growth, Jake Berry MP said:

“This Government is committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the UK and building a Britain fit for the future.”
 “An investment of £2.5 million from the Local Growth Fund has enabled the redevelopment of Corsham Mansion House, bringing this historic site back into use for the 21st century as a centre for digital innovation which will create new jobs and opportunities to attract investment into the area.”