Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
University business centre to stimulate economic growth in Wakefield
The University Business Centre Wakefield, located at Bond Terrace, will help local early stage and growing businesses to benefit from a wide range of business support, including Leeds Beckett business advice and mentoring, professional training and development as well as access to knowledge transfer and research expertise. Businesses will also have the opportunity to attend free Innovation Network events, where leading experts and entrepreneurs come together to inspire and support business growth.
The University Business Centre will open on 1 November and will offer affordable office services and meeting space, as well as access to professional business lounges and meeting facilities across Wakefield at Wakefield One and at its sister site at Wakefield College.
Councillor Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “The University Business Centre will provide premises and support to businesses and entrepreneurs in our District. It will be a key part of helping our local economy to continue to grow and diversify. I’m delighted that both Leeds Beckett University and Wakefield College are continuing to take forward their commitment to working with local companies and providing first class facilities and opportunities and expertise, and look forward to seeing how the Centre will help firms across our district grow and thrive.”
Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor at Leeds Beckett University, said: “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.”
The University Business Centre will allow businesses to access a Wakefield city centre-registered business address, private newly-renovated office space with high speed broadband as well as a virtual office, co-working and hot-desk facilities. Companies will also receive Leeds Beckett business advice and mentoring, professional training and development as well as access to knowledge transfer and research expertise.
In addition, clients will enjoy free access to Leeds Beckett’s network of business lounges, which are shared with specialist member organisations and will have the opportunity to attend free innovation networking events, where leading experts and entrepreneurs come together to inspire and support business growth.
The centre is part of a network of Leeds Beckett University Business Centres that have been operating for more than 15 years. Over 200 businesses across the region are currently located in Leeds Beckett’s private, shared and co-working spaces which to date have supported over 800 businesses to accelerate their growth. Support from Leeds Beckett has been proven to almost double business sustainability, with a 95% business survival rate in the first year of trading.