Leeds Beckett announces launch of new centre to boost business growth in Wakefield

Leeds Beckett University has launched a new initiative, in partnership with Wakefield Council and Wakefield College, to drive growth amongst early-stage and growing businesses.

Located at 6-8 Bond Terrace and at the Wakefield College sister site, the University Business Centre offers office services and meeting spaces to early-stage and growing businesses, as well as access to professional business lounges and meeting facilities across Wakefield.

The centre provides a wide range of support, including Leeds Beckett business advice and mentoring, professional training and development, and access to graduate talent and research expertise.

Corporate partners, The Institute of Directors (IoD), Mid Yorkshire Chamber, Lupton Fawcett solicitors, the AdVenture partnership, WGN, Yorkshire Bank, The Yorkshire Post and Wakefield Express, are also available to offer free advice and support.

The Business Centre also allows clients access to a Wakefield city centre-registered business address and private, newly-renovated office space – including three co-working suites, 11 offices, a meeting room, and hot-desk and virtual office facilities.

In addition, clients will receive free access to Leeds Beckett’s network of business lounges across Yorkshire, which are shared with specialist member organisations, such as the Institute of Directors.

The Business Centre was officially launched last week at the Wakefield Advanced Skills and Innovation Centre, with presentations by Simon Baldwin (Head of Enterprise and Operations, Leeds Beckett University), Councillor Denise Jeffery (Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council), Sam Wright (Principal, Wakefield College), and Mark Casci (Business Editor, Johnston Press).

Katie Rigarlsford, university business centre and regional development manager at Leeds Beckett, said: “We are delighted at the launch of our new business centres in Wakefield and in particular to be able to extend the value of our partnership working with both Wakefield Council and Wakefield College.

“Together we are committed to supporting business and job creation in the Wakefield District and to creating a pathway for higher level skills. We also could not deliver this without the support of our partners.

“Working together to support our business centre clients is sure to provide the ideal platform for growth for the individual businesses and for the district as a whole.”

The Grade-II listed Bond Terrace facility is also the first multiple gigabit bandwidth building in Wakefield.

Simon Baldwin added: “The relationship between Leeds Beckett University, Wakefield Council and Wakefield College has been established for six years now; and the launch of the Business Centre is a huge milestone in the progress of our partnership.

“We see the success of the Business Centre being measured by its positive impact on the Wakefield economy, and through the creation and growth of innovative new businesses in the city, employing highly skilled local people.”

Professor Peter Slee, vice chancellor at Leeds Beckett University, also commented: “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.”