NEW jobs are set to be created as a massive new data centre opens in Worcester.

Developer Stoford announced the new IONOS site at Worcester Six Business Park has "achieved practical completion"

This means building has been completed, with the site set to open full time from early 2022.

The fully-completed site stands at 43,708 sq ft and includes more than 12,000 sq ft of office space.

Completed on time, it includes energy-efficient features including solar panels across the whole roof and carbon-neutral roof cladding.

Gerard Ludlow, director at Stoford, said: "We’ve made superb progress on this data centre for IONOS and are pleased to announce we have achieved practical completion.

"We are proud to have delivered Wychavon’s first data centre for IONOS and the environmentally friendly facilities are testament to the company’s quest for sustainability.

"As Worcester Business Park continues to take shape, it has gained a well-deserved reputation as a first-class site that is attracting global names to the region.

"Its strategic location and excellent transport links demonstrate that companies recognise it as a place to grow and do business."

IONOS was established in 1988 and is the largest data hosting company in Europe, managing more than eight million customer contracts and hosting more than 12 million domains around the world.

In the past three years, Worcester Six has welcomed Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal and Kohler Mira.

Once fully developed, the business park will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation.

Sab Knight, head of UK sales at IONOS, said: "The new Worcester site is crucial for IONOS’ growth in the UK and shows our commitment to further invest in infrastructure and jobs.

"We are very happy that the building was completed on time.

"The Worcester Six site will start operation in the first half of 2022 and will host one of the most advanced cloud platforms in Europe."

Councillor Richard Morris, Wychavon District Council deputy leader, said: "I’m delighted with this investment, which delivers not only high quality jobs and a sustainable building but essential IT infrastructure businesses need to develop and expand.

"It is a sign of the confidence investors have, not only in our growing local economy, but in Worcester Six Business Park itself, offering a broad range of employment opportunities for residents."