University to boost business growth with launch of new centre

Leeds Beckett University and Calderdale Council have announced the launch of a new initiative to drive growth amongst early-stage and growing businesses in Halifax.

The University Business Centre, located at Piece Mill in Halifax, offers office services and meeting spaces to early-stage and growing businesses, as well as access to professional business lounges and meeting facilities across Halifax.

This hub is the fourth Leeds Beckett University Business Centre to be opened, joining two other hubs in Leeds and one in Wakefield.

The University Business Centres provide a range of support, including Leeds Beckett business advice and mentoring, professional training and development, access to graduate talent and research expertise, and high speed broadband from partners Exa Networks.

Corporate partners including The Institute of Directors (IoD), Mid Yorkshire Chamber, Lupton Fawcett solicitors, the Ad:Venture partnership, WGN, Yorkshire Bank, The Yorkshire Post and Halifax Courier, are also on hand to offer free advice and support.

Councillor Tim Swift, leader of Calderdale Council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Leeds Beckett University to Halifax, as it underlines our commitment and ambition to drive economic growth across Calderdale.

“We have a strong entrepreneurial tradition in Calderdale, with over 6,900 micro-business already based here. Our partnership with Leeds Beckett will help these businesses to thrive, inspiring innovation and sharing the knowledge and skills to encourage growth and the creation of new jobs.”

Katie Rigarlsford, University Business Centre and regional business development manager at Leeds Beckett, added: “Business is all about people and it is the fantastic operations team and business clients within our University Business Centres that makes them such a great place to do business. We really care about the success of our clients.

“By working with us, businesses can tap into a wide range of support from all our partner organisations as well as accessing a huge range of skills and expertise through engaging with an innovative and enterprising university.”

Leeds Beckett’s University Business Centres have been operating for more than 15 years. Over 250 businesses across the region are currently located in Leeds Beckett’s private, shared and co-working spaces.

Professor Peter Slee, vice chancellor at Leeds Beckett University, concluded: “Leeds Beckett is committed to supporting growth and prosperity in our region. This initiative is the latest example of this and will provide access to resources and knowledge that will accelerate growth in new and developing businesses.”

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