Armidale Regional Council CEO Susan Law said the original idea for the hub came from the first business symposium held in July, when the community was told in fairly loud terms by the businesses that they wanted a place with some basic services for them to gather.

"The panel of businesses, council and the UNE that has come together to say that a good site would be where the old library was," she said.

Council's second symposium was held at the beginning of November, and Mrs Law said it looked at what they called "A Day In the Life Of the Hub".

"So, it was about what sort of things would happen in there and how business would use the hub. We did explore that at some length," she said.

"But the first step for the council is to make the building compliant with building and fire regulations, and there are a number of things we need to do to its shell.

RELATED READING:

"As the old Library it wasn't necessarily compliant with modern regulations. So, we're doing work around disability access, fire and other access requirements."

After this first step was completed, Mrs Law said the building would then need to be fitted out for whoever might go into it.

"I think as a first thing we will put some of our operational, front facing business staff there, such as the planners, the building inspectors and perhaps the plumbing staff there in the first instance," she said.

"One of the things that did come up was what they call a business concierge, which is a person who was able to help somebody who wants to establish a business, and help guide them through the different requirements that need to be met."

Mrs Law said the crucial second stage of the hub would see the SMART region incubator give consideration to moving in.

Armidale Business Chamber president Anthony Fox said the chamber supported the hub.

"I think it has great opportunities for assisting growth of business and development of Armidale," he said.

"Having the presence of UNE, which is the proposal at the moment ... and of council in relation to things like development applications for people who want to develop an area or establish a business, it will be a bit of a one stop shop for them.

"It will answer their questions and facilitate them moving with their business enterprise, whatever that may be."

Have your say. Click this link to send a letter to the editor.