AN OKEHAMPTON business support company has been picked to help a pilot 'work hub' programme in the county.

BIP of Okehampton, and North Devon+, based in Bideford, will deliver business support to applicants who are competing for grants of up to £90,000 to develop flexible work spaces for micro-enterprises and home-based workers in Barnstaple and Totnes.

Devon County Council, with part-funding from the Department for Transport, has £180,000 available to support the development of these work hubs as part of a pilot strategy to create a network of high quality hubs across the county. They will provide support to the many micro-enterprises and home-based workers within Devon.

Organisations in each town were asked to register their intention to apply for a grant by last Wednesday, and will now have to submit proposals as part of a competitive process. Grants of up to £75,000 are available to fund capital costs — for example, internal refurbishment, furnishings or wifi hardware — and a further revenue grant of up to £15,000 to help cover running costs as the work hub gets off the ground.

The council has received 13 applications by organisations. These organisations will be required to submit a business plan and cash flow forecasts to demonstrate how their proposals will operate.

Free business advice from BIP and North Devon+ will be available to applicants as required to help them develop their proposals, including face to face advice and mentoring support by expert advisors.

The successful bids will benefit from ongoing business support for a further year from BIP and North Devon+. In addition, Devon County Council will be offering a comprehensive support package to work hub members.

Stewart Horne, managing director at BIP, said: 'We are excited to be working with Devon County Council and to be getting involved with the Devon Work Hub Network. This will offer real opportunities to rural businesses, and recognises the contribution that home-based businesses make to Devon's economy.'

Cllr Will Mumford, Devon County Council cabinet member for economy, enterprise and employment, said: 'It is our vision that Devon's network of work hubs will ensure that the county's hidden population of home-workers, micro-enterprises and mobile workers have facilities and support to enable them to prosper and grow.

'BIP and North Devon+ are two local businesses with a strong track record of delivering expert business advice to a wide range of sectors, from start-ups to large enterprises, so it is great news that they will be supporting applicants with their proposals.

'The level of interest registered in the grant scheme has been really impressive, and we are looking forward receiving some excellent bids in January.'

Robin Makeig-Jones, commercial director of North Devon +, said: 'We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Devon County Council and BIP to facilitate the provision of flexible workspace for micro enterprises.

'This is a great example of Devon partners working together to support local entrepreneurs and to create jobs.'