Keighley Entrepreneurs Invited to ‘slay a dragon’!

If you fancy yourself as Yorkshire’s very own budding Banatyne or prospective Paphitis, then a unique business opportunity is just about to open up for you, right in the heart of Keighley. But you’ll have to impress a panel of business ‘dragons’ first!

Keighley Campus, Leeds City College, is working in partnership with Bradford Council’s Kickstart3 programme, to encourage local people to start their own retail business. The iSTORE on Cavendish Street has space for three new businesses that offer technology-based products or services such as website design and maintenance, iPod sales, accessories and repairs, digital equipment, telephony, photography, graphic design or other similar products and services.

It is an opportunity for fledgling retailers to learn their trade in a supportive environment, with assistance from the College and with specialist help from other business support organisations. Other unique benefits include free storage space in the basement, an on-site internet café (the only one in Keighley), and a system in place so that the new retailers can accept credit card payments. The iSTORE even has its own Enterprise coach working in the same building, to give instant free advice and support.

But there is a catch. Entrepreneurs applying for a place in the iSTORE need to go before a panel of business ‘dragons’ – just like on the BBC television series – to explain the benefits they will bring to the facility. The successful applicants must also be prepared to work with the other businesses and volunteers to operate the shop and to take-up training opportunities, such as workshops and seminars, to help further develop their business skills.

The iSTORE is already home to SavaComp, a not-for-profit social enterprise that sells, repairs and recycles computers and IT equipment. But as Allen Davis of SavaComp explained: “There is room in the iSTORE for three more businesses to complement the work we are already doing here. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who has always dreamt about opening their own shop, but didn’t have the resources or the know-how to get started. It’s also ideal for anyone who was previously running a small business from home, who now wants to take the next step forward.”

Jennie Williams of Leeds City College added: “The iSTORE is a genuinely unique opportunity for budding entrepreneurs. The monthly rent is pitched below the normal market rate and everything that a new business needs is already provided such as shop fittings and desk space. The price even includes charges such as heating, lighting and business rates. So the new business can start selling their products and services quite literally within a few minutes of moving in!”

Anyone interested in applying for a place in the iSTORE should contact Jennie Williams on 0113 216 2250 or email istoreinfo@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

Press Contact
Sarah Towns
PR & Communications Co-ordinator
Leeds City College
t: 0113 284 6411
e: sarah.towns@leedscitycollege.ac.uk