Tech Educators host small business roundtable with Hull MP Emma Hardy
Written by James Emberson
On Friday 11th November, Tech Educators co-hosted a roundtable discussion
alongside MP Emma Hardy, The Federation of Small Businesses and a selection of small business owners from around the Humber region. The event focused on Hull- based businesses and saw several entrepreneurs share their journey to date, each detailing the challenges facing them and their future growth.
The discussion moved between several key topics, from behaviour challenges in Hull city centre to concerns about skills development and the future of business and local services, providing an effective platform for collaboration and exchange.
The Voices of Small Business in Hull
One of the key takeaways was how important it is for government representatives and other changemakers to regularly engage with local business owners. Emma Hardy’s visit provided a valuable chance for entrepreneurs to voice their challenges and share their successes in person.
Discussions focused on how Hull can attract more business to the city centre and create an environment where small enterprises can thrive. Participants, including retail stores and tech startups, highlighted the area’s potential while acknowledging potential barriers that could impact future growth.
Current concerns include high rents, limited footfall in the city centre, and the
increased need for better infrastructure to support both established and emerging businesses. These conversations prove how important collaboration between local authorities and the Hull business community is for future growth.
From Pet Empawriums to Neurodiverse Networking
The small businesses represented at the meeting were as diverse as their founders. From Lisa Marie Hall, owner of Lili + Mia’s Empawrium, a pet shop in the centre of Hull, to Courtney Farrow, who runs The Creative Hearts Club, a neurodiverse-friendly networking group for creative freelancers in Hull, each founder spoke about their individual situations and challenges.
Other attendees included an HR Consultant, a training provider, a commercial
property landlord, an app developer and of course Tech Educators. The range of experience and knowledge on display was impressive, and the passion with which everyone spoke about Hull and the area’s business potential was inspiring.
It’s clear there are improvements required to infrastructure and some business processes before the Humber region can truly begin to fulfil some of its huge potential, but regular discourse and collaboration will help us make progress towards achieving those goals.
Working Together for Business Growth in the Humber
Small business roundtables and discussion events are crucial for encouraging
collaboration within the local business community. Connecting entrepreneurs with government representatives will ensure that local business challenges and opportunities within Hull are brought to the forefront of future policy discussions.
Regular and honest communciation between elected officials, such as Emma Hardy, and small business owners in cities like Hull will build stronger foundations for trade and commerce to flourish in future, offering more stability and potential for new businesses either starting out or moving to the region.
As members of The Federation of Small Businesses, we are grateful to have co-hosted this event and are proud to facilitate these important conversations within the region. We will continue to support the growth and success of Hull’s small business community, and through further collaboration and ongoing engagement with local government representatives, we can all help drive the kind of positive change required to grow a vibrant, thriving local economy.
As a skills bootcamp provider and employer in Hull, we have a long-term
commitment to both the businesses and people of the Humber region.
About the Author
James is a Digital Marketing veteran with over 10 years in the industry. James delivers the Tech Educators Digital Marketing with AI course, as well as overseeing the marketing activities for Tech Educators.
