News / Sustainability
New £1.5m sustainability hub to open on Gloucester Road
A former Maplin store that has stood empty since the company went into administration last year is to be transformed into a £1.5m sustainability hub.
The 1930s art deco building on the corner of Gloucester Road and Cromwell Road will gain a new lease of life as a carbon neutral facility that will showcase the latest green products, technologies and services on the market, stage events and provide work space for environmental enterprises.
The Future Economy Group, a sustainable products and services business, is the brains behind the new project that is set to create 12 new jobs when it opens in April.
https://twitter.com/FutureEconomyN/status/1095646936890335233
“We’re really excited to acquire this building and give it a new lease of life,” says Alan Bailey, director of the Future Economy Group.
“The fabulous location is ideal for our sustainability events space and retail area, which will be showcasing the green tech products of the future.
“We expect some 5,000 visitors during our first year of operation; including businesses and members of the public. Our business model will be an exemplar of how to draw people back on to the high street whilst utilising space that aligns to current needs and customer demand.
“The second phase of our development will provide working space for innovative enterprises, start-ups, sustainability professionals and anyone that is focused on sustainable products and services. Therefore, we expect the hub to be a real hive of activity promoting sustainable economic growth.”
The business has already created The Future Economy Network, one of the largest green business networks in the South West.
Katherine Piper, network director, adds: “It’s really exciting to have our own events space and hub, so we can deliver exceptional networking and knowledge sharing events, bringing in expert speakers from across the sector.
“Our new home will give us the infrastructure to help businesses, individuals and organisations across the Bristol region become more sustainable.”
Read more: The Bristol startup changing the future of global food production
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