A longstanding York business hub is celebrating International Women’s Day by giving one local female entrepreneur six months of free workspace worth £1,500.

Blake House, run by an all-female team, has launched the competition to give one York-based woman the environment and community to help accelerate her business.

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.

Since opening its doors on Blake Street in 2011, Blake House has consistently attracted a higher-than-average number of female founders, freelancers and business owners.  It has since become home to a vibrant community of women building businesses across a wide range of sectors.

Wendy Tunnicliffe, founder of Blake House, said:

“We’ve always had an incredible number of women building their businesses at Blake House. And we love the fact we are an all-female team here.  International Women’s Day felt like the perfect opportunity to give one local entrepreneur a genuine boost.”

“Running a business can feel isolating. The right environment makes a huge difference. Keeping things small, independent and local – people really get to know each other..”

“We hope this opportunity gives one woman the space and confidence to take her next step.”

The competition is open to York-based female entrepreneurs, freelancers and start-ups – whether newly launched or already established, who would benefit from a professional workspace and supportive business community.

The winner will receive:

• A dedicated private desk in Blake House’s design-led studio (worth £1,500)
• Access to a supportive business community
• Promotion of their business through Blake House’s network and social media

Entries open ahead of International Women’s Day and close on the 27 March.

Visit blakehouse.co.uk/IWD to enter.