What is the MX?
The MX is a unique urban rejuvenation scheme that will enable a variety of activities and initiatives benefitting Cheltenham and its community. Workshop Cheltenham Ltd presented the original idea for the MX to the council and are the developers for the scheme.
The £9.27million MX project is partly funded from a jointly crafted government funding bid. This resulted in grants totalling £3.514million from the government's ‘Getting Building Fund’ and from the Growth Hub via GFirst LEP — Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership. This funding is for an innovative modular construction building which will house state of the art workspace for the cyber tech, digital and creative sectors, a Growth Hub to support business development, an event space and cafe. Subject to planning approval, the grant will also fund improvements to the neighbouring open space surrounding the Cheltenham Minster, the town’s oldest building, adjacent to the Wilson art gallery and museum. Plans will include new pathways, seating, lighting, planting and signage.
The scheme will bring to life an underused urban space in the heart of Cheltenham’s conservation area. The overall project will help to re-invigorate the local economy, establish key links to the High Street, support economic growth and act as a beacon in the town for the forthcoming Golden Valley Cyber development.
It will bring together high growth companies in the cyber tech, digital and creative sectors on the one part and academia and the wider community on the other to create the ideal platform for organic growth, collaboration and serendipity to occur in one place.
The cyber sector and industries that are focused on the commercial use of digital technologies are increasingly important and make a valuable economic contribution to the UK’s international competitiveness, offering a platform from which to develop solutions to some of the most pressing challenges affecting the world today. Here in Gloucestershire, we have six times the level of cyber businesses than anywhere else in the UK, with Cheltenham at the heart of this network. MX, as part of this vital cyber ecosystem, supports our commitment to build on existing strengths, to develop and grow this sector, putting Cheltenham firmly on the map as the cyber centre of the UK.
Interested in workspace at MX?
If you are interested in finding out more about workspace on offer at the MX please contact Hub8 by emailing [email protected] or call 01242 893809.