January 24th 2024
Innovative new business project launched in Greater Manchester libraries
Libraries are already associated with providing endless amounts of knowledge at the ends of your fingertips, making them a great place to establish a new ‘supporting entrepreneurs’ programme.
Partly funded by the UK Shared Prosperity fund through a grant administered by greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), ‘Build a Business’ is a new project that is due to hit libraries in and around the northern city.
The programme is set to offer in-person workshops, one-to-one support and connect people to local networking events, offering a wealth of expertise to help develop their ideas and turn them into profitable business ventures.
Originally rolled out in September 2021, the new scheme was introduced across eight of Greater Manchester’s localities and by December 2023, more than 1,400 people had attended at least one workshop, with almost half of these individuals identified as being a racially minoritised community.
Now, the scheme will be launched in Rochdale and Wigan, meaning even more people can benefit.
‘Greater Manchester is filled with creative, enthusiastic and inspiring entrepreneurialism and I’m proud that our city-region is leading such an innovative scheme offering access to resources that some of our smaller businesses and residents may not otherwise have access to,’ Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council said. ‘Build a Business offers a wide range of support in a convenient location, which will prove helpful to those wanting to expand their reach and scale up their businesses.’
Cllr Craig added: ‘I’m really pleased that we’re now able to welcome Wigan and Rochdale into the programme and we look forward to the new businesses we can help to develop, further adding to Greater Manchester’s thriving and vibrant economy.’
One example of a project that was helped to launch through the new entrepreneur scheme is ‘My Sen Den’, a sensory toy hire company which was launched by two Stockport-based mums.
As parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Emily Brookes and Claire Cunliffe are passionate about providing a unique service making children’s parties more inclusive, while also stimulating development and meet varying sensory needs.
Both women said: ‘The workshops and advice we have received has been invaluable in helping us to build a strong base for our business.
‘It has allowed us to navigate essentials like trademarking, provided us with legislative knowledge and advice and gave us access to a wealth of databases which would have been financially inaccessible otherwise.’
Image: Brooke Lark
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