Fully-funded programme to give helping hand to unemployed people in Conwy who want to start a business

A new project is launching in Colwyn Bay next month aimed at supporting people across Conwy who are not currently in work but have an interest in becoming self-employed.

In partnership with the Conwy Employment Hub, Startup Club will equip local people with the knowledge and skills needed to make self-employment an achievable option for getting into work. 

The six-week course starts on Thursday 18 May and is being run by business support and coworking specialist Town Square Spaces Ltd (TownSq), which already operates Startup Clubs and a host of other expert business workshops across its network of enterprise hubs in England and Wales.

The programme is primarily aimed at those with a skill, passion or idea that could be turned into a profitable business or freelance venture when paired with fundamental knowledge in areas like marketing, finance, business registration and pitching, which is all covered across the six sessions.

Attendees will also receive guidance on applying for grants and investment after the programme has concluded, to ensure their business has the financial backing to hit the ground running after having developed it over the course of the six weeks.

To be eligible for Conwy Startup Club, attendees must be over the age of 16, not currently in work or education, and have an idea for a business or a skill or hobby that they would like to explore turning into an enterprise.

Elwyn Edwards, TownSq’s Community Manager for Denbighshire, said: “There is often a perception that starting a business is for a certain type of person – someone with a lot of financial backing or experience. However, the truth is that most businesses are run by completely ordinary people who took action and made their idea work, and we want to be able to help others to believe they can achieve this too.

“We want to open the concept of self-employment up to everyone, and encourage anyone who isn’t currently in work or education to feel that pursuing an ambition and becoming self-employed is very much a real option. We are here to make sure that no one needs to feel like they are doing it on their own or without guidance and expertise. 

“After all, self-employment doesn’t necessarily need to be about building a business empire – the opportunities that could be opened up through the connections, skills and experience gained through working for yourself could play a huge role in the next stages of your career, whatever those may be.”

Libby Duo, Strategic Manager for Conwy Employment Hub, said: “The role of Conwy Employment Hub is to find meaningful employment for local people, and the Startup Club initiative embodies that. We don’t only want to support people into work, but we want to see people finding work opportunities that excite them, allow them to pursue passions and offer long-term satisfaction.

“There is an outstanding level of talent and potential across Conwy and we are delighted to be running a scheme that looks to nurture this. There is so much opportunity for growing a business venture without the time constraints of doing it alongside studies or another job, so we would encourage anyone who meets the registration criteria to seriously consider self-employment as their next career step and sign up to Startup Club.”

Conwy Startup Club will be held every Thursday for six weeks at 12:00-14:30 at Training Rooms above Porters Café in Station Court, Colwyn Bay, starting Thursday 18 May.

The project is funded by Conwy Employment Hub, Conwy County Borough Council’s employability team.

To find out more or to register your attendance, you can contact Elwyn on elwyn@townsq.co.uk, 0330 043 0443 or visit costigansrhyl.co.uk/events/startup-club-conwy.