In summer 2020, Alex Hollinworth began thinking about his next challenge and set up his own commercial photography business. Here the entrepreneur tells us why The Business Village in Barnsley is an ‘excellent place’ to meet new people – and grow his company.
Alex Hollinworth’s love of photography began as a hobby when he was still at school. His parents nurtured his interest and bought him a camera one Christmas, booking him onto a workshop to learn how to use it properly.
By the time he left secondary school, a local photographer had seen his work online and offered him work experience. This lasted for nearly two years and, after leaving college, he was offered a full-time position.
In summer 2020, Alex began thinking about his next challenge and started his own commercial photography business. By December, he’d started trading and moved into a unit in The Business Village.
“From there, my business just snowballed, becoming bigger and bigger,” he said. “By April 2021, I was looking for a larger unit and I’ve now moved into a new space which is big enough to work as both an office and a studio, so it’s almost like a hybrid space.”
Alex has found the location of The Business Village is very attractive to his clients, especially when they visit the studio because of the free parking with the added security of an ANPR system.
“Being in The Business Village gives you a business HQ and professional address. I think it makes you look established which has helped my business grow.
“I knew from the conception of the idea I wanted a business HQ because, as a photographer, you need a studio to shoot from. I remember being impressed by The Business Village facilities and offices on a previous visit and they were the first people who came to mind when I began looking for space.”
Since becoming a tenant, Alex has found lots of opportunities to meet other businesses and has gained new clients among his fellow tenants.
“It’s an excellent place to meet new people and there are so many well-connected people and businesses here.”
He’s also benefited from lots of support from the ScaleUp 360 project and members of The Business Village team, which has helped him to learn more and develop his business.
Alex thinks the business support is a massive plus and the 24/7 access has also been helpful when he needs to shoot something urgently or get kit ready the evening before. Plus the bistro provides a convenient place to grab a coffee or lunch when on a shoot.
Looking to the future, Alex expects to continue at The Business Village and is looking forward to engaging with even more tenants.
“Once you’re an established person here and everyone knows you, then your network will just grow forever because there are so many well-connected businesses here.”
Find out more about The Business Village:
www.barnsleybic.co.uk or contact business development manager Kevin Steel on
01226 249590 / 07970 930560 or via www.barnsleybic.co.uk/staff/kevin-steel.
Alex can be reached on:
M: 07805 057284
