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New Bishop Auckland creative hub set to boost economy

‘The Pod’, a new creative hub to stimulate economic growth and help Bishop Auckland’s entrepreneurs of the future, is set to open.

Based in a prominent position on the Market Place, the Pod will be officially opened by the Bishop of Durham’s wife, Rosemary Butler, on April 16 and will provide work, exhibition and retail space as well as advice and mentoring.

The initiative is the brainchild of Jane Ruffer, whose husband Jonathan in 2011 bought Auckland Castle and is chairman of the charitable trust which now runs the visitor attraction, and long-time friend Hannah Watherston.

It has the support of the Auckland Castle Trust, which now owns the property at 42 Market Place, and is seen as integral to Mr Ruffer’s long-term ambition of revitalising the area on the back of developments at the former home of England’s only Prince Bishop.

The Pod is aimed at creative and artisan ventures and will be a safe environment in which they can grow and develop the skills required to run a business before moving out to populate Bishop Auckland’s empty town centre shops.

Hannah, whose background is working with social businesses and who is acting manager for the Pod, said: “Making Bishop Auckland a cultural and artistic destination is key to regenerating the town and will help create a vibrant and bustling place that will bring both jobs and visitors.

“Bishop Auckland town centre has changed; it can not return to what it was. The aim of the Pod is to act as an incubation hub for small businesses where they can begin to grow their idea over a period and then move out into the community.

“We want to prepare people for business so that when the town is full of visitors attracted by the developments planned for Auckland Castle, they will find an upbeat place.

“The Pod is running alongside the primary vision the Auckland Castle Trust has for the rejuvenation of the town. This is the outward facing part of it, if you like.

“It’s wonderful to be involved in such an exciting project that is breathing new life into an area and helping put Bishop Auckland on the cultural map.”

The scheme has received a grant to enable it to push ahead with its work from a London-based charitable trust, but it is hoped the Pod will become self-sufficient.

Businesses will be housed in pop-up spaces and they will be able to sell their work on site. They will have the chance to be mentored by experts in running their enterprise and promoting their products.

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