Share Bristol’s latest developments at its Bedminster Community Hub
Local businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs can now get free enterprise support and advice in the heart of Bedminster
Thanks to a new project at the Share Bristol Community Hub at 47 East Street, BS3. The Hub is also hosting 16 days of events and activities as part of this year’s Bristol Community Festival from 22 March to 6 April.
Offering help to Bedminster businesses is the latest initiative to bring new life to the area’s high streets, through a partnership with the BrisBES (Bristol Business and Enterprise Support) service funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority. It builds on the success of Share Bristol’s Community Hub and Library of Things in drawing more than 1,500 new visitors to East Street since opening its doors last spring.
Bristol residents keen to know more about creating, running, growing or sustaining a business – of any sort and size – can register to get access to grants, 1:1 coaching, training workshops, networking events and online resources to support new and existing companies and traders. From basic business plans, finances and marketing, to specialist help with social media and low-carbon working, BrisBES has got it covered – and all at no charge.
Share Bristol volunteer Trustee Anna Perry explained why the charity has stepped into providing support for the Bedminster business community:
“Sustainable businesses are the lifeblood of local communities. We’ve shown that it’s possible to increase the numbers of people visiting centres like East Street, North Street and West Street, and to extend the times when these are lively, interesting and attractive places to be. So now we’re injecting confidence from the other direction – through the shops, eateries and other services that residents need.
“This new partnership is about using our local contacts, skills and facilities to reach out to anyone in Bedminster who already runs a business, needs help to make it thrive or wants to begin something completely new. We’ll be hosting BrisBES sessions at the East Street Hub, starting with a drop-in event from 2-4pm on Thursday 3 April. We hope Bedminster’s businesspeople and budding entrepreneurs will come and find out about the amazing range of support that’s available.”
The launch coincides with Share Bristol Bedminster playing a big part in this year’s Bristol Community Festival – a city-wide celebration of local action, people and groups doing great things to make the city better. Best of Bedminster at the East Street Hub is one of 17 funded projects across Bristol, kicking off with free food, a craftivism session and storytelling on Saturday 22 March, followed by a packed programme over the next two weeks, including a guided history walk, comedy night, cooking club, calligraphy class and lots more. See https://www.sharebristol.org.uk/events/ for details and bookings.
“Best of Bedminster has something for everyone”, said Anna Perry. “Come and see what difference a bit of vision, imagination and goodwill can make to a community like ours.”
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