What Is The Creative Growth Programme For Businesses In Hull and East Yorkshire?

Ever had a brilliant idea for a business, or already have a cool creative company but feel a bit stuck on how to make it bigger? It turns out there's a fantastic, fully funded programme happening right here in Hull and East Yorkshire designed to help creative firms do just that. It's called the Creative Growth Hull & East Yorkshire programme, and it's already helped 60 local businesses get their growth plans in motion. Now, it's on the hunt for its next group of ambitious entrepreneurs.

This isn't about boring lectures; it's about practical help from people who know their stuff, helping turn creative passion into proper profit and expansion.

What's this creative growth programme all about?

So, what actually happens if a business signs up? The next round of the programme, its sixth cohort, is set to kick off early next month at the University of Hull Business School. Over 12 weeks, participants get stuck into eight hands-on workshops. Think of it like a boot camp for a business. They'll cover everything from figuring out who the customers are and why they buy things, to getting the finances in order for serious growth. It's a chance to learn from genuine experts in the field.

But it's not just about sitting in a classroom. A big part of the Creative Growth Hull & East Yorkshire programme is about connecting people. It includes something called 'investment diagnostics', which is just a fancy way of giving a business a financial health check to see if it's ready to attract money from investors. It also helps businesses build a 'peer network'. Basically, it puts them in a room with other creative business owners who are facing the same challenges. Sometimes, just chatting with someone who gets it is the most helpful thing. These connections have even led to new collaborations between firms that met on the course.

Who can actually join this?

Alright, so who is this for? The programme is looking for entrepreneurs running all sorts of creative businesses. The list is pretty long, so there's a good chance many local firms could fit the bill. It's not just for artists or musicians; it covers a massive range of industries. To give an idea, they are looking for people in:

• Advertising, marketing and PR
• Architecture
• Crafts
• Design and fashion
• Film, TV, video and photography
• Radio
• IT, software, apps and video games
• Museums, galleries and libraries
• Music, visual and performing arts
• Publishing and translation services

There are a few ground rules, though. The programme is designed for businesses that are already up and running and ready to scale up. This means participants must have been operating for at least two years, be making a profit, and employ at least two people. The best part? It's a completely funded programme, so it doesn't cost the businesses a penny to take part, just their time and commitment.

Hearing from someone who's done it

It's one thing to read about a programme, but it's another to hear from someone who's actually been through it. Joseph Cox, the creative director of the popular Form Shop & Studio on Humber Street in Hull, is one of the graduates. His shop is known for its cool prints and products, many of which celebrate iconic Hull brands and local landmarks - you can find everything from images of the Humber Bridge to nods to the colours of Hull FC.

Joseph explained how the programme helped his business think beyond its physical shop. He said: "The shop is doing really well and we are happy with that but we also had a vision to build the wholesale side, move beyond the Hull products and create things around music and pop culture. Creative Growth gave us the opportunity to look at the business, my artwork, merchandise and designs, and develop that as a project. There are only three of us in the business and we open seven days a week but the programme has helped us take the time to consider where we are and think about the business and the next steps." It gave him the space to plan for bigger things, like sending his unique products across the country and even around the world.

The inside scoop from the organisers

The people running the show are just as passionate about helping local firms succeed. Andrew Richardson, the programme manager at the HEY Business Growth and Skills Hub, really believes in the power of learning from experience. He sees huge value in connecting new participants with those who have already completed the programme.

He said: "Our key message to businesses in the region's creative industries has been to learn from those who have experienced the programme. They can then decide whether they want support to develop growth plans, advice on finding new markets and contracts, or help with understanding the finance and investment opportunities that might be the right routes forward for their specific business. There has also been a number of new collaborations launched between businesses who first met by taking part in the programme." It's all about getting practical advice on things like finding new customers, sorting out the money side of things, and even how to pitch for investment. This kind of focused support can make a huge difference to a growing creative business.

So, what's coming up?

For any creative businesses in East Yorkshire feeling inspired, there are some key dates to know. The organisers are holding a special networking event on Tuesday, 7 October, at the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull. This is a brilliant chance for interested firms to meet people who've been on the programme and hear their stories first-hand.

The next two groups, or cohorts, are gearing up. The sixth one starts very soon, and the seventh is scheduled to begin in January 2026. Businesses that sign up for either of these will get a fantastic opportunity to display their work and talent at a big regional creative showcase event in March 2026. Imagine the exposure that could bring! This whole initiative is a joint effort, delivered by the HEY Business Growth and Skills Hub in partnership with Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and the University of Hull. It's a solid team effort aimed at boosting the region's amazing creative talent. The entire programme is geared towards giving these businesses the tools they need for long-term growth.