UK business hub searching for budding entrepreneurs

A business hub launched in Bishop Auckland is searching for ambitious entrepreneurs to fill its studios.

The hub, which is known as Pod and located in the town’s Market Place, is offering studios for entrepreneurs who are in need of space where they can exhibit and sell their work.

Success

The hub has already helped jewellery and homeware designer Gillian Arnold to grow her business and double her turnover. Her business was the first to make use of the hub’s facilities when she moved into it a year ago.

Launched with the aim of boosting economic growth in Bishop Auckland, Pod is currently searching for a wide range of creative entrepreneurs, including web designers, jewellers, illustrators and photographers.

So far, the hub has provided space for over 50 budding entrepreneurs in County Durham. Those in need of studio space can have access to the hub’s facilities for around £30.

The hub now has six new studios in addition to the space that it already offers, providing extra room for budding local businesses.

Investment

Discussing the benefits of Pod, manager Kate Gorman described it as a “great facility” for local creative businesses that need space to “grow and take advantage of the investment being made in the area.”

She stated that the hub enables businesses to focus on growing their concept, and that providing support for the area’s “highly innovative and individual creative businesses” is another step towards “creating the right climate for further investment, economic prosperity and employment in Bishop Auckland.