City centre hub launched to help young entrepreneurs build their businesses

Pictured in the Hull Emporium are (from left) Jamie Edwards of Edwards Industries, Melissa Foster of Melissa Foster Design and Lewis Rose of Heritage for All.

Young people working in sectors including retail, digital, graphic design, joinery and even walking tours are already seizing the opportunities offered by the Hull Emporium.

In addition to giving the entrepreneurs a convenient alternative to working from home the Emporium, established and operated by the Making Changes for Careers programme (MC4C), provides access to a network of experts offering advice on a variety of business essentials.

Jamie Edwards, owner of 3-D printing business Edwards Industries, said The Warren Youth Project in Hull opened his eyes to some career options and then signposted him to MC4C.

He said: “The Warren showed me digital skills and 3-D printing, and I fell in love with it. They directed me to MC4C for help in setting up a business.  I did some sessions and got a grant to get started.

“I’m working on home décor at the moment and planning to expand into footwear and clothing – you can print anything! I have learned a lot from MC4C – things like tax, money management, marketing. The Emporium gives us all a big opportunity.”

Melissa Foster set up Melissa Foster Design about a year ago after trying some other ideas and has now progressed from market stalls to direct commissions.

She said: “My earlier work didn’t really align with my interests in music and merchandise. Now I’m doing posters for gigs and t-shirts with band logos. There’s a big music community locally.

“I was doing it as a hobby at first and some local bands got in touch and said they liked my work so I have developed my own style. MC4C have given me loads of business advice which is really important for what I am doing, and I feel as though I’m equipped to run a business now.

“I normally work from home so it’s nice to have the opportunity to work in person. I’ll be able to reach a lot more people by working here.”

Among the resources which Melissa has found helpful is the Business & IP Centre (BIPC), which provides advice through the public library network in Hull and with visits to business premises.

Cari Hakes, manager of BIPC in Hull, had already presented to some young entrepreneurs at Bilocca House, MC4C’s headquarters, and followed up by meeting Melissa at Hull Emporium.

Cari said: “Melissa wanted advice on copyright so we met at the Hull Emporium opening where I also took the opportunity to raise awareness of how we can help.

“It wouldn’t be feasible for the young entrepreneurs to set up a facility like this themselves so MC4C has provided a great opportunity. There are so many questions young entrepreneurs have about what they can and can’t do and they can come here and find the answers.”

The Lord Mayor of Kingston Upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber, Councillor Cheryl Payne, performed the official opening of Hull Emporium at an informal ceremony attended by young entrepreneurs and key figures from Hull City Council’s economic regeneration team and city business community.

The shop will be open from 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday until March 2026 and has been designed and dressed by current and past MC4C participants with the aim of building on the success of a Christmas pop-up which opened in Hepworth Arcade in December 2024. It will also support the transition of MC4C as it relocates from Bilocca House to 161 High Street, which is currently undergoing renovation to create a Youth Enterprise hub for the city.

Paul Smith, Youth Enterprise Advisor at MC4C, said: “We wanted to provide something longer term to support young entrepreneurs and came up with Hull Emporium as a retail outlet which can also be used as managed workspace – a place where our young entrepreneurs can meet business contacts and promote their products and services.

“It also adds to our network of community locations where people interested in developing entrepreneurial ideas can come and get the advice and support they need.”

To find out more about opportunities at MC4C and Hull Emporium visit www.mc4c.co.uk