Ards Business Hub has given specialist support to 55 craft entrepreneurs involved in the creative industries in the past 12 months.
The figures were revealed as it celebrated the first anniversary of its Handcrafted Gallery in South Street in Newtownards.
Chief Executive Nichola Lockhart said that the aim of the gallery was to provide support for local makers to enable them to grow their businesses with a view to opening their own premises.
She commented: “The Handcrafted Gallery was a new venture for us as it is the first time we have opened our own retail unit to provide support to the creative industries. It is an important addition to our mission to encourage entrepreneurship and grow the local economy.”
Ms Lockhart added: “We would appeal to all arts and crafts makers in the area to come to the Handcrafted Gallery, talk to the makers already here and see how we can work with them to develop their businesses.”
The Handcrafted Gallery offers a range of services including a retail hub, co-working space, finance and business planning, one to one mentoring and advice and expertise on marketing plans. At the moment there are 30 makers exhibiting their wares in the gallery shop.
This year Ards Business Hub plans to support 60 creative businesses and host ten Meet the Makers events at the gallery. It is also arranging for makers to attend trade shows in Ireland and to carry out business needs assessments to help them to develop and grow.
It is the first year of a three year strategy that aims to engage with 200 makers to encourage them to be involved in the Handcrafted Gallery and take advantage of all the business support programmes.
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