Over 600 people have accessed support through the scheme, which offered start-up advice, funding advice and information on legislation and business requirements.

Findings from the report include:

• 58% of Hull’s attendees were women, which is extremely encouraging in the context of women accounting for just 18% of SME owners in the UK
• 19% described themselves as Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic (BAME), compared with 10% in the Hull population
• Over a third of attendees were under the age of 35
• 43% of attendees considered themselves self-employed, 27% were unemployed/looking for work and 17% were in existing employment
• The most popular industry was creative/media (24%), followed closely by retail/wholesale/distribution at 23%Councillor Terry Geraghty, Chair of Hull Culture and Leisure Ltd, said:

  “These outcomes demonstrate the value of the library service, its resources and staff knowledge, to support and encourage people considering starting a business. Over 600 people have benefitted from this information since the start of the programme in October 2013, supporting the Council’s priorities for the economic regeneration of the city.”

  One young entrepreneur that has been able to develop her hand painted furniture and home décor business with support from the scheme is 23-year-old Lara Roberts, she said:

  “I wanted to develop my hobby into a business but was worried that I couldn’t afford a suitable space to work from.

  “The library staff were brilliant, they helped me to find a low cost unit that was perfect for what I do – it’s a much bigger space than I would have been able to afford otherwise. Having a professional workshop has meant that I can take on a lot more work and grow my business.

  “To anyone who’s toying with the idea of becoming self employed but is feeling nervous I say, go for it! To the libraries, I say thank you!”

  Hull was one of 10 library authorities to benefit from the Enterprising Libraries programme, which was a £1.3m partnership between the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Arts Council England (ACE) and the British Library.

  Workshops and clinics delivered by Enterprising Libraries Hull have received consistently high feedback, with 86% of workshop attendees returning positive ratings overall and 54% on average returning a very satisfied rating.

  Continued support for entrepreneurs

  Hull Libraries are continuing to provide information to people thinking of starting up a new business. Weekly Hub sessions are held at the Central Reference Library every Monday and Friday morning from 10am to 12 noon. There will be additional sessions on Wednesday 5 August from 5.30pm – 7pm and Saturday 8 August from 10.30am – 12 noon.

  Hull Libraries are working in partnership with DWP and Goodwin Development Trust in the ERDF project Enterprise Neighbourhood Renewal and Growth. Clients requiring more in-depth business information and advice are referred to Goodwin’s team of Start-Up and Growth coaches.

  In addition, the library service provides free workshops for background support and information. The forthcoming workshops are:

• Thinking About Being Your Own Boss – Tuesday 11 August, 10am – 3.30pm
• Marketing and Promoting Your Business – Thursday 13 August, 2pm – 4pm
• Business Planning – Thursday 20 August, 3.30pm – 6.30pm
• Business Network Club – Thursday 27 August, 5pm – 7pm
• Thinking About Being Your Own Boss – Tuesday 1 September, 10am – 3.30pm
• How to Get Customers and Keep Them – Thursday 10 September, 4.30pm – 6.30pm
• Money Management – Thursday 17 September, 4.30pm – 6.30pmTo book places on these workshops contact the Reference library on 01482 223344 or e-mail reference.library@hcandl.co.uk