Women’s Business Station has unveiled their new Wellgate hub for women looking to set up in business, seek employment or training and gain confidence.
Through its new facility, called Place of Possibility, the social enterprise aims to remove barriers to employment and entrepreneurship.
To celebrate the opening, businesses, councillors and guests visited the hub while local artist Daisy MacGowan created a live mural.
Women’s Business Station chief executive Angie De Vos believes the new unit will allow the organisation to support even more women.
She says: “Having a presence in Wellgate is a real game-changer for us and will be a place of possibility for so many local women.
“Every day, women are walking through our city centre who aspire to do more, whether training, finding work or setting up their own enterprise.
“However, taking that first step can be daunting.
“We want to welcome these women, provide a safe space to talk through their ideas, gain support, make connections and make things happen.”
Place of Possibility features
The 2,000 sq ft space boasts a number of spaces including a learning zone to host workshops and training programmes, including the Aspiring Women programme and Dundee and Angus college courses.
A showcase zone allows women to promote their products or services, with extra space to conduct market research with shoppers.
In the discovery zone employers can engage with local women, including for recruitment or networking purposes.
There is also a co-working space where members can work and an additional area for local organisations to rent.
Ms De Vos says: “The unit also gives us the perfect space for everything from training programmes and networking events to a place women can pop in and do a bit of work, meet others and feel part of something bigger.
“Throughout Scotland, many female sectors, already affected by inequality, were decimated by Covid.
“However, there’s a quiet army of undervalued and low-paid women with a vision, talent or something they’d love to do, and we can help them get there.”
Women’s Business Station impact
Plans for the female entrepreneur centre were first announced in 2019.
The new hub has been made possible by several funders and local businesses, McLaughlin & Harvey, who have provided flooring and electrics free of charge and Tricorn Capital.
Dundee City Council has also given the Place of Possibility a three-part grant.
Convener of the council’s city development committee Mark Flynn said: “Backing new and innovative ways of creating a vibrant city centre is important, particularly when it is clear that the tried and tested business models are currently under strain.
“I very much welcome the opening of this hub, with its double benefit of providing valuable and useful services for women looking to set up their own business or get into employment or training, as well as creating a destination that will encourage people to visit Wellgate.”
Since 2019, Women’s Business Station has supported 800 women; 209 of them have launched businesses and 168 are growing a business.
An additional 243 have entered into education, career progression or volunteering, with 195 new jobs created.
In doing so, £10.4 million of economic impact has been generated within Dundee and surrounding areas.
Conversation