What is the project?
The Hive at Tribe Carlisle is a brand-new space for young people in Carlisle to test out their business ideas to the public. There is no charge for using the space, as it has been funded by Cumbria County Council.
Why are we doing it?
We believe in social entrepreneurship, but we are conscious that a lot of young people in Carlisle won’t have the finances, confidence or opportunities to have a go at running their own business and realise their potential. The Hive addresses these issues by guaranteeing that local young people with a business idea can test their concept to the general public at our busy site down at Bitts Park. We hope to inspire future business owners and leaders in the city, especially those who wouldn’t otherwise have such an opportunity.
We want to remove barriers, by creating a place people can trade alongside each other. We believe that people buy from people, and if the product is good, the price is right and service comes with a smile, that it doesn’t matter where you’re from – you can make it in business. To this end there will be no overt marketing that highlights the people trading at The Hive – to the public it is a pop up shop staffed by young people.
Who is it for?
The Hive is for anybody between the ages of 18 – 23 from Carlisle or surrounding areas who has a business idea they’d like to test.
Our primary demographic is people within this age range who wouldn’t typically have the opportunity, confidence or support to set up their own business, but show entrepreneurial potential. In particular, we are looking for young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system, long term unemployed and NEETs, people with low self-confidence or lacking aspiration, and anybody excluded due to their race, religion, sexuality, (dis)ability or gender (or any other protected characteristic).
We will also be promoting this opportunity to any young person in the area, including university students, those between jobs, or those with commitments which restrict their ability to hold down ‘9-5’ jobs – i.e., carers
Timescales
The project is now open to applications, and we are ready to welcome our first traders from 1st June. This pilot will run throughout the summer, and in September / October we will evaluate its success, reflect on its failures, and apply for funding for its continuation