Case studies

  • Background

    Tiger 11 is a Community Development Trust initiated by a number of local residents in Beeston. It wanted to take ownership of a redundant primary school in Beeston and transform it into community-owned office space including a new enterprise "Catalyst Centre" which would help local people to be more entrepreneurial. The idea of a Catalyst Centre was part of an amibitous bid being made by Leeds to government for funding to promote enterprise in deprived areas.  A feasibility study was urgently needed before the plans could be progressed but there were no funds available to pay for it. Tiger 11 approached Leeds Ahead for assistance.

    Who did what?

    Leeds Ahead identified a number of businesses that were able to support the feasibility project in different ways. Tiger 11 received advice on legal structures from Wrigleys solicitors, help from architects Brewster Bye and interior designer Ann Clements on the design of the premises, support from Nisbet LLP quantity surveyors and Unity Housing on costing out the building work and operating costs, and project management support from the Camberwell Project. Meanwhile, solicitors DLA Piper agreed to draft tenancy agreements.

    The outcome

    The results of the feasibility study were collated and presented by the Leeds team in the bid for enterprise funding in late 2006. As a result, £20.6m of funding has been won from govenrment to support the development of enterprise in the most deprived areas of Leeds. Thanks to the upfront work done by these businesses, the Tiger 11 plans are now being implemented, along with many other catalyst centres in other parts of the city. Solicitors DLA Piper have continued to advise Tiger 11, representing them on the transfer of the school premises from the local authority to the Trust and in relation to their funding arrangements.

    Direct benefit

    Jeremy Morton of Tiger 11 said ‘The support through Leeds Ahead was excellent and invaluable. As a new community organisation taking on a large building project we were struggling to make progress until Leeds Ahead brought a range of professionals to bear on the project.' The project benefited the city more generally, helping to win £20.6m to fund enterprise development in inner city areas. Finally, the businesses themselves benefited. Many of them, brought together through this project, have gone on to do business with each other on other projects.

    Next stage

    Tiger 11 formally opened for business in summer 2008 and offers a range of facilities to local people to help them set up their own businesses. Leeds Ahead still have an ongoing role in linking existing businesses into the centre to offer encouragement, build a vibrant network and help local people to develop their enterprise ideas.

    Tiger 11
    Enterprise Catalyst Centre Read More
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