Art.quarter is excited to announce plans for a start-up incubation space as part of the next stage of its development. The new hub will be designed to help young entrepreneurs from across Birmingham, but particularly those from disadvantaged or BAME backgrounds.
The newly developed office space will be set on the mezzanine level of the vast 20,000 square foot former warehouse. Its location on Allison Street in Digbeth will provide users of the incubator with a city centre base, close to major transport links including New Street and Moore Street stations. art.quarter plans to open access to this space to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who were significantly affected by the COVID crisis.
The incubator will provide:
- Co-working space with 32 hot-desking seats.
- Access to two shared Mac computers
- Access to mentoring and guidance
Prior to the COVID crisis, one in ten BAME individuals were unemployed, and The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for BAME Business Owners stated that BAME businesses had previously struggled to access support services in Birmingham. Alarmingly, survey data from the Ubele Initiative shows that nine out of ten micro and small BAME-led organisations are at risk of closing within three months due to COVID-19.
The incubation hub will form just part of art.quarter’s wider retail and lifestyle complex; comprising of a men’s barbers, women’s hair salon, café, bakery and events space. The first stages of the development are due to open in October 2020.
