Wrexham's new Enterprise Hub is officially open for business.

The business hub, which is based in the former Iceland store and Pebble chip shop unit on Rhosddu Road in the Queens Square area of the town centre, has had the ribbon cut by Ken Skates AM, cabinet secretary for economy and transport.

Video and images by Craig Colville

Financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, the hub was announced by Mr Skates last year, and aims to support 100 new businesses and create 260 jobs in its first two years.

People looking to start their own business or thinking about becoming entrepreneurs will be able to speak to staff and gain advice on how to go about doing it,

The two-year pilot will also focus on securing at least £1 million of private investment for its members as well as building a community of entrepreneurs that will boost the local economy.

It is being delivered by Town Square Spaces - an enterprise started by Welsh ICE (innovation centre for start ups) founders Gareth Jones and Mandy Weston - for Business Wales, and is focused on supporting business start ups and creating jobs in the Wrexham area.

The new hub will act as a community resource, bringing local people and businesses together in a creative and collaborative space.

Opening the hub, Mr Skates said that when choosing where to locate the hub, Wrexham was at the "forefront" of his mind.

He said: "This will contribute to the vibrancy of Wrexham town centre. Something special is happening here right now, it is a very special day for Wrexham."

Town Square co-founder Gareth Jones said: "It has taken two years from the starting conversations to get to this point where, with the help of 1,000 people, we could open.

"It feels like there is a real buzz in Wrexham and we really want to be a part of it.

"For a long time I think there was a sense Wrexham has had it rough but people now feel it is a great place to live and work.

"This is somewhere people can access, it is open to all. It is a resource for everyone in Wrexham."

In a speech to mark the opening, local filmmaker Rob Corcoran described how staff at the hub had already helped with his business, 73 Degree Films, through evening sessions.

They had given him advice on taxes and how to grow his social media.

Carl Turner, who will run the hub as community manager, said: "We're open and we're looking for our next 20 members. We have already got 25 people on board."

Anyone interested in what the new hub has to offer can find out more via the Business Wales website.