Somerset Town Gets a Digital Makeover with Next Theme’s New Centre of Excellence
By Josh Bell, Charitable and Schools Correspondent
A brand-new digital chapter has begun for Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, with the official opening of a cutting-edge Centre of Excellence by the award-winning company Next Theme.
The grand launch was proudly led by the Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor John Crawford-Hawley, on Tuesday, marking a major milestone for the local community.
Now operating from its long-dreamed-of base at 31 Locking Road, Next Theme is setting out to revolutionise digital services for local businesses, charities, and communities with its bold new mission:
“Website Creations, Logos and Signage. Sorted!”
Founded by Managing Director Joe Bambridge, a passionate advocate for local digital transformation, the vision for the Locking Road facility has been over 22 years in the making.
“This is more than a business launch,” said Bambridge. “It’s a dream come true.”
Joe first envisioned the idea behind Next Theme in 2011, while working at Screwfix. Between 2011 and 2014, he asked a powerful question:
"Why is it not as easy to create digital services as it is to buy tools and materials?"
This very question laid the foundation for Next Theme’s mission to make high-quality digital services simple, accessible, and effective for everyone. In 2017, the software that would power this transformation was finally discovered.
The company has since grown, thanks in part to the Kickstart Scheme, a government initiative supporting young people aged 16–24 at risk of long-term unemployment.
Through Weston College and local schools, Next Theme provided valuable IT work experiences that helped shape the company and its team, while giving back to the community.
Today, Next Theme is not just a digital services provider. It’s a community-focused powerhouse supporting local businesses and charitable causes like the Donate For Defib W-s-M Project, offering tailored websites, logos, signage, and more.
The newly launched centre is open to the public, and locals are encouraged to drop by and discover how Next Theme is helping Weston thrive in the digital age.
To learn more or get your digital services “sorted”, visit:
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