A NEW enterprise centre is on course to open in Wells next year after the purchase of the land on which it will be sited.

The Wells Technology Enterprise Centre will be built at Cathedral Park, across the road from the TePe headquarters.

It will have 12 offices as well as meeting rooms and mixed use space.

There will also be five industrial units on the site.

Plans for the centre have been approved by Mendip District Council, and now Somerset County Council has completed the purchase of the land.

Councillor David Hall, the council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Community Infrastructure, said the project was exciting news for Wells."It's going to be fantastic for the city," he said.

"We're committed to investing in enterprise centres that support small and medium sized-businesses and Wells is one of three new facilities under development in addition to five already up and running across the county. It's going to be a huge benefit to the local economy.

"The existing centres are already home to over 50 businesses supporting around 100 jobs. The Wells facility will provide office and light industrial space as well as support for local businesses and networking events – really important services for small firms starting up, which are the mainstay of our economy."

Work on the Wells centre is expected to start later this year, and it is scheduled to be operational by autumn 2019.

The news was welcomed by Wells Chamber of Commerce and Tourism chairman Robert Powell.

"Wells Chamber of Commerce is encouraged to hear that the Wells Technology Enterprise Centre is to be built at Cathedral Park and look forward to welcoming and supporting new businesses," he said.

"They will provide much needed employment and prosperity which will benefit the whole of the local economy."

There are two further enterprise centres under development in Wiveliscombe and Bruton.

The centres already operating are in Dulverton, Minehead, Wheddon Cross and Highbridge.