Support for local enterprise
Have you got a creative business idea? We might be able to help.
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Creative enterprise
At the Kirkgate Centre we support local creative ‘micro-enterprises’. A ‘micro-enterprise’ is a very small business run by and for the people involved.
Who runs micro-enterprises? Anyone from market traders to artists, but because they are small and simple, they are often the kind of business run by:
Community enterprise
For community groups, trading is also a great way to interact with the public and raise funding, awareness and support. Many community groups develop enterprises that compliment the other things they do – a wildlife group might sell cultivated wildflowers; a campaigning group might prefer to sell Fair Trade or cruelty-free goods.
Get started!
Whatever your motivation, we are here to help you get started. Sadly, many really creative ideas never get off the ground because it can seem too difficult or life just gets in the way. At the Kirkgate Centre, we hope to provide the extra help, space and encouragement you need to give your idea a go.
Unfortunately we can’t offer grants or loans but we can offer:
Learning
Like it or not, developing a successful enterprise means learning. But learning needn’t be boring or like school. We think you can learn a lot by:
The Shipley Alternative
If you are anything like us, you’ll be keen to try out some real trading as soon as possible. The Shipley Alternative is a new community marketplace for creative traders which will give you the opportunity to sell directly to the public. The Shipley Alternative will:
Get in touch
If you think we might be able to help you, please get in touch. Call us on 01274 580186 or use our online contact form. You never know - it might be the start of something amazing!
The smallprint.
We provide enterprise support because we think it is important. It is not something we are funded to do, so while our enthusiasm is boundless our resources are not. Some activities such as workshops or stalls at the Shipley Alternative may incur a small charge to help cover costs.
The Kirkgate Centre is a busy place and not all facilities are available all of the time.
Have you got a creative business idea? We might be able to help.
Tweet
Creative enterprise
At the Kirkgate Centre we support local creative ‘micro-enterprises’. A ‘micro-enterprise’ is a very small business run by and for the people involved.
Who runs micro-enterprises? Anyone from market traders to artists, but because they are small and simple, they are often the kind of business run by:
- people out of work or retired
- groups of friends with a creative idea
- people facing redundancy and trying to startup something new
- parents or carers working around their care responsibilities
- young people at college or school
- disabled people or those on incapacity benefits
- part-time or low-waged workers who want something more out life
- local community groups interested in raising money and meeting local people
Community enterprise
For community groups, trading is also a great way to interact with the public and raise funding, awareness and support. Many community groups develop enterprises that compliment the other things they do – a wildlife group might sell cultivated wildflowers; a campaigning group might prefer to sell Fair Trade or cruelty-free goods.
Get started!
Whatever your motivation, we are here to help you get started. Sadly, many really creative ideas never get off the ground because it can seem too difficult or life just gets in the way. At the Kirkgate Centre, we hope to provide the extra help, space and encouragement you need to give your idea a go.
Unfortunately we can’t offer grants or loans but we can offer:
- access to computers and the internet
- private meeting space
- informal work space with wi-fi internet access
- a training and presentation room if you need to present your ideas to others
- informal, fun workshops
- a community marketplace
- appropriate business advice
- funding or extra support
- people with similar ideas you can learn from
Learning
Like it or not, developing a successful enterprise means learning. But learning needn’t be boring or like school. We think you can learn a lot by:
- coming to short informal workshops which focus on the practical skills you’ll need
- meeting other people with similar ambitions
- getting on with trading and learning as you go
The Shipley Alternative
If you are anything like us, you’ll be keen to try out some real trading as soon as possible. The Shipley Alternative is a new community marketplace for creative traders which will give you the opportunity to sell directly to the public. The Shipley Alternative will:
- provide you with real trading experience
- allow you to test your idea and get feedback from the people who matter the most – real shoppers!
- hang out with other traders – you’ll learn more from them than any business adviser!
Get in touch
If you think we might be able to help you, please get in touch. Call us on 01274 580186 or use our online contact form. You never know - it might be the start of something amazing!
The smallprint.
We provide enterprise support because we think it is important. It is not something we are funded to do, so while our enthusiasm is boundless our resources are not. Some activities such as workshops or stalls at the Shipley Alternative may incur a small charge to help cover costs.
The Kirkgate Centre is a busy place and not all facilities are available all of the time.