Centre celebrates business hub launch

THE Leeds Media Centre will host a series of enterprise themed events next week to celebrate the opening of its new business hub.

The schedule kicks off at noon on Monday with the launch of Steps to Business, a start-up training programme for aspiring entrepreneurs aged 16 to 25. The scheme will provide participants with direct access to investors and business advisers.

A spokesman added: “Wednesday is Enterprise Takeover Day, an informal event offering a onestop shop for all business support needs from industry experts across West Yorkshire.

“Delivered by AD:VENTURE, attendees will also have the opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs over lunch and take part in half-hour workshops on topics critical for business success including marketing on a budget and boosting your online presence.

“The week will climax on Friday with the business hub’s official opening ceremony in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Leeds.”

Leeds Media Centre – one of three business centres operated by Unity Enterprise, the notfor-profit subsidiary company of BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise – recently underwent a £1.8m refurbishment in partnership with Leeds City Council and the European Regional Development Fund.

Leeds City Council, which owns the building, also provided £80,000 from the Innovation@ Leeds capital fund to equip the new business hub with furniture, video conferencing facilities and computer hardware.

Adrian Green, Unity Enterprise manager, said: “We are excited to be hosting such an impressive line-up of activities over the course of five days, each with entrepreneurship at its heart.

“Steps to Business will use nonconventional training methods to help those taking part realise their dreams.”