Tech giant returns to Birmingham to support digital entrepreneurs

Tech giant Google is returning to Birmingham to offer specialist support to the city’s new digital entrepreneurs and to offer general help for people looking to improve their digital skills or make themselves safe online.

The search engine specialist is setting up a brand-new Digital Garage in the city centre, offering free face-to-face digital coaching.

The Digital Garage, based at 134b New Street, will open to the public on Friday (July 14) and stay open seven days a week for six months.

The arrival comes almost two years after its first stint at the Library of Birmingham.

The company said it intended to offer 13 new courses and workshops that would build on the small business support previously on offer. Attendees will be able to select from tailored coaching designed to boost their confidence using online tools, helping them make the next step in their career or get advice on how to start and grow their business.

City-based barber shop Barberology, started by Adam Gore, was one of the businesses to participate in the original training sessions.

Two years on, Barberology is now ranked first in Google search in 22 search terms in Birmingham, and is serving 88% more customers. The company has become so successful that Mr Gore has expanded and opened two more barber shops, as well as taking home the coveted ‘Best Barbershop in Britain’ award last year.

The Birmingham launch will also mark the first step in a new collaboration between Google and Which?, who are joining forces to help educate consumers and businesses about web safety.

It said while awareness of cyber-attacks and online threats was high, not many people actually knew how to protect themselves online.

Since 2015 Google’s Digital Garage programme has trained more than 150,000 people across the country and the Birmingham launch follows successes in Sheffield, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and Cardiff.

The Google Digital Garage is being delivered in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Digital Birmingham, Business Birmingham, Good Things Foundation and Which?.

Ronan Harris, Google UK&I Managing Director, said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to return to Birmingham. We believe this is a truly transformative era, where new solutions to everyday problems are being answered more and more by technology.”

Cllr Tristan Chatfield, Transparency, Openness and Equality leader at Birmingham City Council, said: “It is an honour to be welcoming the return of Google’s Digital Garage to Birmingham and it’s great to know it will sit right in the heart of our city, making it accessible to everyone.”