Mayor Visits Banks' Mill as Creative Businesses Thrive
4 September 2009
The Mayor of Derby, Councillor Sean Marshall, on his tour of Banks' Mill
The Mayor of Derby, Councillor Sean Marshall, has been given a behind the scenes tour of Derby's creative business incubation centre, Banks' Mill on Bridge Street, Derby.
Banks' Mill has been supporting start up businesses in the creative industries for 10 years and the Mayor was keen to see how this fitted in with his focus for the year. His theme for the year is business and enterprise. In particular, the Mayor aims to help businesses in the Cathedral Quarter which have been hit by the recession.
Louise Jones, centre manager at Banks' Mill, introduced Councillor Marshall to the creative entrepreneurs working at the University of Derby managed business incubation centre.
She said: "Banks' Mill is an Aladdin's cave of hidden talent and we're so excited that Councillor Marshall wanted to find out more. This year is Banks' Mill's 10th anniversary of supporting and nurturing start up business and we're keen to show how the creative work and the entrepreneurial spirit that we have here."
The Mayor spent the afternoon meeting the creative businesses, seeing them at work in their studios and learning about the support services offered by The University of Derby run creative business centre.
Many of the businesses are thriving in the current climate, jeweller Natalie Jane Harris a contemporary jewellery maker is having her best year to date.
She said: "People are more conscious of how they spend their money, they are looking for a quality, unique piece and I can offer exactly that as all my jewellery is all handmade and no two pieces are identical."
Kris Williams and Jay Bray who set up DE1 Design back in March, at the height of the recession and are also doing well; they have already worked with six companies based in Derby.
Kris said: "We help new companies create a new brand, that could include creating a logo, producing business cards, designing a website - anything they need, we pride ourselves on understanding and meeting the needs of small businesses."
Councillor Marshall said: "It was great to come along to Banks' Mill, I've not seen anything like the range of businesses before, from ceramicists producing magnificent jardinière, chess sets made out of recycled yellow pages and top notch creative designers."
Leaving Banks' Mill the Mayor said that the visit had been 'an absolute delight'.
He added: "I have been very impressed with the range of businesses and the talent. The support services offered are excellent and it's clear they are making a difference to the thriving businesses at Banks Mill".
Banks' Mill will open its doors to the public in November for its annual open studios event. Offering everyone an opportunity to see, commission or buy unique pieces of work from the Banks'Mill tenants.
For a further information about the Banks' Mill November Open Studios or the business incubation services available at the Mill, visit www.banksmill.org.uk or call Louise Jones on 01332 594173.
For further information please contact Louise Jones, Business Incubation Manager, Banks' Mill, 01332 594173, or email l.jones1@derby.ac.uk.
