The creation of a new hub at Kingston Maurward College will receive £3.5million towards the flagship development from Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The new University Centre and Rural Business Development Hub is designed to help improve higher education opportunities for young people in rural Dorset and enable small rural businesses to grow.

It is the first of its kind in rural Dorset and is a potential "game-changer" for the local student and business community.

Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP director, said: "We are delighted to be able to award a significant amount from our overall £11.8million Getting Building Fund allocation towards this much-needed development.

"The combination of a university centre with a rural business hub will allow Dorset LEP to realise the opportunities described in its own work, The South West Rural Productivity Commission and the Local Industrial Strategy.

"Our investment in this exciting project will address the significant deficiency in the HE provision in rural Dorset, help to plug the productivity gap and provide valuable support to the rural business community."

Luke Rake, principal of Kingston Maurward College, said he was extremely pleased to be prioritised by Dorset LEP for funding for the University Centre and Rural Business Hub.

He said: "It has long been recognised that progression to higher education is less good from the rural part of the county. This ambitious intervention, driven by the college, aims to help improve social mobility and opportunities for knowledge transfer.

"A dedicated rural business centre will both support businesses across the rural area and also increase opportunities with our new Rural Business, Tourism and Heritage Land Management programmes for sixth formers and university students from 2021-22.

"It is extremely exciting and a game-changer for both the college, Dorchester and the rural county."

Luke Hall MP, Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, is delighted to be backing the new hub.

He said: "This government is widening access to higher education across the country, encouraging social mobility and delivering opportunities to our young people.

"That's why I'm delighted we are backing the new hub in Dorset with a £3.5million Getting Building Fund investment.

"This project will provide important support to rural small business, safeguarding and creating jobs, boosting local economies and spreading prosperity across the region."

West Dorset MP Chris Loder welcomed the news.

He said: "I am pleased to see this much-needed additional funding come into West Dorset, particularly funding that supports rural businesses. Kingston Maurward College is an inspiring centre of education with a long history in providing short courses, apprenticeships and university level courses enabling young people to further their chosen careers in agriculture, business and to prepare for the military.

"This new funding secures future development, as well as offering a much-needed boost for the local community and rural economy."

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