THE Enterprise Network (TEN) has announced major grants to help existing rural business centres across Swindon and Wiltshire expand to support start-ups.

TEN, a £5.2m initiative led by Wiltshire Council with Government and EU funding, is nurturing new and growing small and micro businesses by supporting them right from the first ‘light bulb’ moment.

It has already opened four of its own Enterprise Centres in Wiltshire offering affordable offices, meeting rooms, co-working and networking opportunities alongside free, impartial business advice.

Now TEN is investing £1million to help other rural business centres at Lackham, Holt, Marlborough and Chisledon develop their own facilities for start-up rural businesses.

Grants so far include just over £173,000 for Wiltshire College to help create a technology-focused hub offering 3D design and prototyping facilities for small businesses to use.

Another plan still in the pipeline is the conversion of part of the Old School at the new Tisbury community campus into a business incubation space for start-up and growing small businesses.

TEN says larger businesses are already well catered for in the towns and cities of the region.