Omagh's future shines bright with new £6m Digi-Hub launch

OMAGH is stepping confidently into the digital age with the launch of its brand-new £6 million Digi-Hub at Old Mountfield Road, a state-of-the-art enterprise space that will serve as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and opportunity in the region.

For over 30 years, Omagh Enterprise Company has been a cornerstone for business at its Great Northern Road base, which is currently home to 90 enterprises. But as demand for space continued to grow, the former health centre at Old Mountfield Road presented a golden opportunity. Purchased from the Western Trust in 2018, the building has been almost completely refurbished - an ambitious transformation that has turned a derelict site into a vibrant hub for the future.

“When we started this about six years ago, digital was on the scene and in recent times it has been supercharged by the whole area of AI,” explained Nicholas O’Shiel, chief executive of Omagh Enterprise Company.

“Every business is moving in a digital direction. If they’re not digital now, they soon will be. This project is a natural progression for Omagh, and it’s happening at exactly the right time.”

The new Digi-Hub is designed to house up to 50 businesses and 250 people, offering a variety of office sizes to suit everything from two-person startups to expanding firms. Already, multiple companies have moved in, and interest is strong. The hub is not just for local businesses - entrepreneurs from London, the US, and Australia have returned home to Omagh, drawn by its growing reputation as a magnet for talent and opportunity.

“This development shows that Omagh is not remote anymore,” Mr O’Shiel said. “Thanks to technology, people with global experience can now live here, work here, and add to our knowledge base. Ten years ago, that wouldn’t have been possible.”

The hub’s launch is perfectly timed with Omagh’s growing digital infrastructure. With Project Kelvin’s high-speed fibre optic connection, Omagh now boasts broadband speeds on par with London, Dublin, and New York - an essential ingredient for modern businesses.

“One of our biggest selling points is that companies here can connect with the world at lightning speed,” said Mr. O’Shiel. “That kind of connectivity is expected, and Omagh is delivering it.”

The project has also sparked wider regeneration, with nearby sites like the former Scott’s Mills already earmarked for development. And with South West College and the soon-to-open Strule Shared Education Campus just a short walk away, thousands of students will be passing the hub daily - an exciting prospect for future entrepreneurs.

Marketing and Property Officer Sharon Tracey-Collins confirmed the buzz is growing.

“Since our website was redeveloped last year, enquiries have been constant. Social media, word of mouth, and now the new hub itself have generated huge interest. Once the official opening takes place, we expect momentum to grow even more.”

With UK Government funding, the Department for Communities, and Omagh Enterprise Company backing the project, the Digi-Hub is also well supported with practical facilities, including dedicated car parking for tenants and easy access to additional parking nearby.

As Mr. O’Shiel summed up: “The Digi-Hub represents an important investment in Omagh’s future. It will provide an innovative, supportive environment for businesses of all sizes and at every stage of their journey. We are thrilled to see the community come together in this new space. This hub is a vote of confidence for local businesses, for returning talent, and for the next generation of entrepreneurs. The whole world is changing, and Omagh is changing with it.”

With its doors now open and the official opening just a week away, Wednesday, October 1, the Digi-Hub is ready to welcome entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers, and businesses eager to take advantage of its flexible, modern facilities. As Omagh embraces this new chapter, the Digi-Hub stands as a symbol of growth, opportunity, and ambition for the entire region.

It promises to be a milestone moment, firmly placing the town at the heart of Northern Ireland’s digital revolution.

The new building will open on Wednesday next, October 1 at 11am.