A business centre offering training, advice and support to small and medium sized businesses has officially opened.

The centre in Ilminster has been operating in a limited capacity since April.

Funded by the South West RDA and Yeovil College, the centre in Ilminster offers access to business-related training and workshops, providing local employers with a fully resourced venue for staff training.

The benefits of the new facility are already being enjoyed by local businesses with staff being trained in the use of technical equipment such as digital cameras as well as receiving access to computers, scanners, business software and the Internet.

Sue Tyley, director of the business training unit at Yeovil college, explained that Yeovil College has always been involved in training local businesses, offering advice and access to IT equipment and saw the opening of the centre as an opportunity to further its role.

The Mayor of Ilminster Margaret Excell, who officially opened the centre, said: "Quite often owners or managers of small businesses haven't always the time to organise and deliver training for themselves and staff, however much they know that it will improve their performance, either in customer care or in increasing profits.

"The Ilminster Business Centre has a great variety of equipment and expertise to cover just about all aspects of training requirements, some specifically tailored to the needs of our local businesses.

"That just has to be worth encouraging and it has to be good for Ilminster, and if it is good for Ilminster, ultimately we all benefit."

Local business people, the chamber of commerce president, Mr Henry Vijah, chamber members and other organisations also attended the opening.

Call the centre on 01460 259626 to find out how you can benefit from it.