The GPF funding will be used to refurbish the Magistrates Court building and convert it into office and small business accommodation.  A full conversion will create circa 11,600sqft of lettable commercial floorspace, will improve the local accommodation offer for start-up and small businesses and will be another step towards the regeneration of Grays town centre. Thurrock is currently below the national average for the number of business start-ups and above average for early business failures. Whilst several agencies are providing practical support in terms of skills development and advice in an attempt to boost start up numbers there remains a lack of appropriate premises for new and existing businesses to operate from.  Demand for high quality office space exceeds the number of available units in Grays, and there is a waiting list for similar workspace.  This project aims to address the shortage of suitable premises for small businesses in Thurrock.

Growing Places Fund

The Growing Places Fund (GPF) was established by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (formerly the Department for Communities and Local Government) and the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2011. The aim of this funding is to unlock economic growth, create jobs and ‘kick-start’ house building at stalled development sites.