The three-storey centre will be built at a site off the A131 in Great Notley with work expected to start later this month.

Once finished, it will offer shared meeting rooms, flexible work spaces, conference and training facilities and offices for smaller businesses to grow into.

The project is being paid for in part by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, which has allocated £7m towards the scheme from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.

Architect Stride Treglown and consultant Hydrock’s civils and M&E teams designed the buildings

Mark Dady, Managing Director at Kier Regional Building Eastern, said: “The sustainable design of the building highlights how we can help our clients achieve their sustainability aims.

“Our appointment follows the ongoing success of our Victoria Square Regeneration project which is due to complete later this year. Both projects will greatly benefit Braintree by providing new facilities and employment opportunities for the community.”