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From jenny.langrick@hullcc.gov.uk | Friday 6 March 2020

Lounge at Hull Central Library provides an affordable, vibrant working space for the city's entrepreneurs and business-owners.

The Business and IP Centre at Hull Central Library.

A business centre run through Hull's libraries has supported the creation of 536 new businesses – 54 per cent of those coming from women.

The lounge, recently opened at Hull Central Library, provides an affordable, vibrant working space for the city's entrepreneurs and business-owners.

Ahead of International Women's Day on Sunday 8 March, the Business and IP Centre’s latest data is bucking the national trend of only 22 per cent of new businesses being started by females across the country.

These businesses are also standing the test of time with around 94 per cent of them still trading after three years, smashing the national average of around 60 per cent.

Hull's Business and IP Centre provides an affordable, vibrant working space for the city’s entrepreneurs and business-owners. Hull's Business and IP Centre provides an affordable, vibrant working space for the city’s entrepreneurs and business-owners.

They have created around 275 new jobs, with a payback of £6.95 for every pound of public money spent.

Councillor Marjorie Brabazon, Chair of Hull Culture and Leisure, which runs Hull's libraries, said: "This is fantastic news to celebrate on International Women’s Day.

"I am very proud of the women in our city who have achieved so much to such a high standard in often difficult times. They contribute greatly to our economy, culture and education. My congratulations go to each and every one.

“I am a Hull girl, born in Hessle Road who failed my 11-plus. I have had some amazing times in my life as well as some difficult times. I will always be grateful for the discretionary award given to me from Hull City Council which allowed me to get a degree at the age of 40.

“The enormous amount of work from our library staff which has encouraged and supported the women in our city to realise their dreams is wonderful. Libraries are the heart of our city and continue to work with and support the community in many ways.”

The centre provides quality expert resources and support for anyone wishing to start, establish or grow a business, providing support to those living or trading in the 20 per cent most deprived areas of the city, through Community Led Local Development funding.

For more information, call 01482 223344 or email Reference.library@hcandl.co.uk.