The Enterprise Centre at York St John University opens to offer free help for businesses to innovate and grow
The Enterprise Centre at York St John University, in partnership with York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, will support local independent enterprise.
York St John University is delighted to announce the opening of dedicated city centre start-up facilities to support business in York. The The Enterprise Centre at York St John University offers free, supportive, expert help for new businesses. The space provides professional corporate accommodation which businesses can take advantage of rent free for their first 6 months.
Now open on York St John University’s main Lord Mayor’s Walk campus, the Centre offers businesses direct on-site access to our academic expertise. This includes coaching and mentoring workshops from York Business School as well as support with digital marketing, growth planning, finance skills and bid writing.
Local entrepreneurs can access a package of free expert help, uniquely connected to the business support landscape via the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub. It is being managed by a member of the Hub team solely dedicated to the Centre and based on site. Working in full partnership with the Growth Hub in this way provides instant access to latest governmental advice and support.
As the only university in Yorkshire with a campus in London, there will also be the opportunity to access and use business space in York St John’s brand-new campus facility near Canary Wharf. Entrepreneurs can make use of the space to meet with clients and hold meetings when visiting the capital.
Director of Business Development & Knowledge Exchange at York St John University, Marc Fleetham said: “We’re delighted to launch the Enterprise Centre here on campus, offering an accessible, local platform for ambitious minds to realise their goals.
“Our doors are open to provide ongoing CPD & training, to grow local talent and keep it here in York. This aligns with the city’s Skills Strategy of addressing local skills challenges and raising productivity for long term growth.
“The partnership with the Growth Hub will make sure that businesses are plugged in to what local and national support is available to them, and how to make best use of what’s out there.”
York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub Manager Andrew Raby said: “By its very geography, York and North Yorkshire is home to a diverse range of businesses. Regardless of size or sector, we are here to provide free and independent business support. We are government-funded but locally based, which means that we can provide tailored support based around the needs of our unique region.
“Working so closely with York St John will bring together fresh academic insights and expert guidance from people who have been there and done it, in a professional environment with a community of peers who can support each other through the challenges of establishing a new business.”
Enterprise Centre Manager Emma Rollason-Taylor said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming York’s entrepreneurs through the doors and helping them to develop their ideas and fledgling businesses. With academic expertise on tap plus the Growth Hub’s connections to financial support, people that we work with really are getting the best of both worlds. It’s exciting to see what will grow from these firm foundations.”
The Enterprise Centre opens on Wednesday 4 May in the Cordukes building on the Lord Mayor’s Walk Campus. It will open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm with dedicated in-house staff. It features a shared bookable space for up to 20 people and virtual tenants can use it as a city centre address.
If you’re interested in accessing support from the Centre for your business, please contact business@yorksj.ac.uk
Read more about the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub here: https://ynygrowthhub.com/
Largest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years as landmark Bill enters Parliament
Small businesses will no longer be left chasing money they are already owed, as ministers today [Tuesday 19 May] introduce landmark legislation to end the scourge of late payments and back millions of sole traders, freelancers, and family firms across the country.
Funding reaches £900K in bid to boost exports
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has unlocked a new wave of export funding for businesses, taking the total support up to £900,000. The third round of the Get Exporting programme is available for applications today (Monday, May 11) with £265,000 in grants for businesses to tap into.
🚗 The Growth Hub is hitting the road!
After the success of last year's roadshows, the Growth Hub is hitting the road again, traveling the region to bring the best of local business support to a town near you. Partnering with NatWest Accelerator, and joined by Business Support Advisors from North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council, the Growth Hub Roadshow is set to showcase what business support really looks like.
Innovation Supper: Apply to pitch
Join us for a relaxed evening with a light supper and plenty of inspiration, where you’ll have the chance to step into the spotlight and pitch your business idea to win seed funding. Prior to the pitching, you’ll be provided expert pitch training delivered by York St John, so you’re fully prepared to deliver your pitch with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or already up and running, you’re invited to get involved.
Celebrating a Career Supporting Business Growth
Growth Hub Manager Simon Middleton is stepping into retirement following a long and rewarding career defined by his dedication to the region’s business community. Colleagues, partners and the many businesses he has supported wish Simon the very best for a happy and well-deserved retirement.
Going For Growth: Make your business profitable today
Embark on a journey of self-improvement as you momentarily step away from the day-to-day of running a business. This course isn’t about taking time off; it’s about taking time to enhance your business, surrounded by peers who are just as driven to succeed. Prepare to gain insights and strategies that will clear the fog and illuminate your businesses path forward.
National Minimum Wage support for Yorkshire & Humberside businesses
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is contacting Yorkshire &Humberside businesses to help them get their workers’ wages right and ensure they are paying at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW), as appropriate. This is part of HMRC’s regular outreach activity across the UK.
260,000 workers to get a pay rise across Yorkshire as new wage rates take effect
60,000 hard-working people across Yorkshire and the Humber will see their pay increase from today [1 April 2026], as the Government raises the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates.
Made Smarter Backs Local Manufacturers
Manufacturing businesses across York and North Yorkshire are being encouraged to embrace digital innovation through the Made Smarter programme, a government-funded initiative that helps companies adopt new technologies and strengthen their operations.
The Cyber Security Membership for SMEs in the North East
The North East Cyber Resilience Centre (“NECRC”) helps small and medium-sized businesses, charities, and public sector organisations improve their cyber security.
York coworking space launches International Women’s Day competition giving female entrepreneur £1,500 workspace boost!
The winner will receive a dedicated desk for six months in Blake House’s tranquil 13-desk coworking studio - an intentionally small workspace designed to create a genuine business community, offering a calm and focused alternative to the large, impersonal workspaces that many entrepreneurs reportedly experience.
Farm Business Support Programme
This programme is a planned schedule of practical workshops designed to help farm businesses understand where they are now, where they want to be next, and how to make confident decisions in a fast-changing industry. The focus is simple: real world, farm focused business skills that can be applied straight back at home.