They held a 'Thank You Event' for everyone who has supported Farm491 and The Growth Hub since they opened The Alliston Centre, just over a year ago.

The state-of-the-art incubation hub for AgriTech start-ups provides office space, hot-desks, nook pods, meeting rooms, and sleek facilities in a modern building, as a space for new businesses to be nurtured whilst utilising the contemporary facilities.

Verity Payne, centre and events manager at Farm491, said, "The Alliston Centre is a perfect base for busi-nesses requiring a professional space to take their business to the next level. We love its flexible working environment, which allows our like-minded business community to share space and ideas. Its first year has exceeded all of our expectations.

"More than 250 businesses have been supported by Farm491 through workshops and events, and our current member base of 47 businesses have collectively attracted £16million in investment in the last 12 months."

Over fifty people attended the informal event at the centre. Members, service providers, local business professionals and University staff enjoyed networking whilst sampling a showcase of Gloucestershire food produce from exhibitors including Non Solo Pasta, The Cotswold Hare, Ben's Kitchen, and Cerney Cheese. The diverse range of food included everything from arancini and a 'Christmas dinner pie' to sa-mosas and gravlax, washed down with gin cocktails, English wines and the RAU beer - Muddy Wellies. A caricaturist was also on hand to provide everyone with an amusing portrait to take home.

James O'Mahony, director of hiom advisory, attended the event and as a Farm491 member who has re-cently taken residence at The Alliston Centre, he commented on what the centre means to him. He said: "The Alliston Centre has been the perfect base to allow my business to flourish. Having an office here changes the way clients see my business, by aligning my brand with the latest in AgriTech innovation.

"It's a great environment to work in, with a diverse mix of users which has grown my connections and given me access to some fantastic local suppliers."

The Alliston Centre has capacity for more innovative businesses to utilise its facilities. For more information visit the website at www.farm491.com/alliston-centre, call 01285 889923 or drop in to The Alliston Centre, Stroud Road, Cirencester, GL7 6JR.