Thu, 20/04/2023 - 09:47
The University of Derby recently held their first Spring Showcase event for the tenants and members of its business incubation centre, Banks Mill Studios.
The event was aimed at businesses across the region to connect and collaborate with the talent of creative businesses based at the Mill.
Anna Wood, event organiser says: “With 20 exhibitors and 50 attendees it was great to see so many people networking, giving our artists, makers and creative service businesses a chance to shine and promote what they do.”
The event was opened by Professor Alex Molasiotis, PVC Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Education, who spoke about the creative and cultural industries in Derby and the role played by the School of Arts and Banks Mill Studios to nurture the next generation of creative talent. Leader of Derbyshire County Council, Councillor Barry Lewis formally closed the Derbyshire Festival of Business which had delivered in excess of 100 events and had been made possible with funding from Vision Derbyshire and delivered in partnership with the East Midlands Chamber. This was followed by an inspirational keynote speech and performance by Derbyshire vocalist and violinist Lizzie Ball, who founded her company, Classical Kicks Productions in 2012.
Rachel Powell, of Studio 74, one of the exhibitors commented: “Thanks for putting on a great event today, we really enjoyed it and think it’s a really good addition to the Banks Mill calendar for service-based businesses like ours. A few people I spoke to mentioned that they had travelled to the event specifically to talk to us, which is great.”
Adam Buss, Director of Culture Derby, commented: “The Banks Mill community has proven, time and again, that is resilient, innovative, creative and world class. The event was no exception and bought together some of the city’s creative businesses at the University’s central business centre. These sorts of events are a key component to supporting the creative communities and I look forward to the next one.”
We were also delighted that local resident Mrs Barbara Banks was able to join us for the event. Barbara’s husband ran the Mill when it was owned by Banks & Sons Ltd, producing rope, tarpaulin, tents, coal bags and shop blinds, before it closed in the 1980s.