The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, joined Sir Rod Aldridge, Chair of the Aldridge Foundation, and local business and community leaders at the launch of the Aldridge Foundation’s latest Creates Business Centre, at UTC@MediaCityUK in Salford today (November 27th).
Aldridge Creates at UTC@MediaCityUK is a unique business centre in MediaCityUK located within the same building as the University Technical College, which provides 14-18 year-old students an education specialising in the technical skills required for the Creative and Digital industries. The UTC offers pathways in TV & Film, Interactive Media and Graphics, Radio & Audio, or Interactive Media & Gaming.
As well as a physical space for local start-ups, small growth and student-led businesses, Aldridge Creates centres provide services and support for these young businesses. Education charity the Aldridge Foundation has supported the development of Creates Centres in the North West at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy and in London within Kensington Aldridge Academy, linking business and education within their communities.
Andy Burnham said: “This is a great initiative to help show young people across the North that starting their own business in Greater Manchester is a real option for them.”
“We want Greater Manchester to be a place that nurtures young talent, where everyone can have access to the best support and advice when thinking about setting up and running their own business. I hope that this new centre, in the heart of MediaCityUK, can help transform the prospects and lives of young people throughout our city-region.”
The space consists of three private, fully equipped office ‘pods’, and breakout space around them. For applications to join the Aldridge Creates Business Centre to be successful there must be a commitment by them to give back to the Creates community and the UTC with a small portion of their time and expertise. In return, the businesses can gain access to the GC Business Growth Hub’s advisor and a national network of Creates communities to support the development and growth of their business.
Full details are online at www.utcmediacityuk.org.uk/aldridge-creates .