City getting digi with it

The hub, which will be operated by HQ, part of International Workplace Group, the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions, is due to open its doors in the Spring, is set help make the city a digital powerhouse.

It is one of eight key projects in the £25m Town Deal programme which is funded by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHCLG)’s Levelling Up Fund following a successful bid by Norwich City Council as part of its drive to deliver regeneration, new skills, infrastructure and jobs in the city.

And to see how works were shaping up this week was Cllr Mike Stonard, Leader of Norwich City Council.

Cllr Stonard said: “Things are really shaping up here and I am really looking forward to seeing the new Townshend House become the City’s Digital Hub – it really will be a major milestone in our mission to make Norwich a digital and creative powerhouse. It’s all part of our plans to make a more prosperous Norwich and fit for the future.”

Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of International Workplace Group PLC, commented: “With a growing digital community, Norwich is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans across Norfolk and the East of England. The need for high-quality flexible workspaces continues to soar across the world as hybrid working becomes the new normal. We are very pleased to work with the council to open our latest state-of-the-art workspaces to support the thriving digital industry in Norwich.”

Cllr Mike Stonard and Chris Sargisson outline the significance of this initiative in this short video.

The former ITV Anglia HQ, which is owned by Norwich City Council, will provide new and additional workspaces for digital businesses in Norwich. 

Set to open in Spring 2025, The Digital Hub will provide space for established firms and start-ups across a range of industries including digital, creative and media, while International Workplace Group’s Design Your Own Office service allows companies to tailor their space entirely to their requirements. The new HQ workspace location will include facilities including private offices, meeting rooms, co-working and creative spaces.

Local Growth Minister, Alex Norris, said: “It’s fantastic to hear work is under way to create a new Digital Hub in Norwich, another step forward in making the city centre a destination for the tech and creative industry is the economic growth we want to see across all towns and cities. It is vital our communities keep creating innovative flexible new spaces like this to attract new startups and investors to the area and help local people to fully embrace the jobs of the future.”