A NEW creative hub to help future entrepreneurs is set to open in Bishop Auckland this week.

The Pod, based in the Market Place will provide work, exhibition and retail space as well as advice and mentoring.

The initiative is the idea of Jane Ruffer, whose husband Jonathan bought Auckland Castle in 2011, and long term friend Hannah Watherston.

Ms Watherston, 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.

“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.

“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 Pod is aimed at creative and artisan ventures and will be officially opened by the Bishop of Durham’s wife, Rosemary Butler, on Thursday, April 16.

Businesses will be housed in pop-up spaces where work can be sold on site and business owners will also have the opportunity to be mentored by experts in running their enterprise and promoting their products.

They will be charged a small initial rent which will increase as their business prospers, and prepare them for moving to their own commercially rented shop space.

Bishop Auckland artists Gina Underwood and Jackie Stonehouse will both be exhibiting their work from April 16, and have been helping transform the empty shop space into an attractive creative hub.

Ms Underwood said: “The value of a place like this, situated as it is in such a prominent location, to not just artists like myself but the population of the area, is incalculable.”

The first mentors will be from designer brand Gillian Arnold. Husband and wife team Gillian and Tim Arnold create a unique range of jewellery, artwork and home ware based on wild plants growing in and around the UK.

Mrs Arnold’s work can be found for sale at about 100 outlets across the UK, including The Mugwump boutique in Durham.

Mr Arnold said: “Gillian and I see our business as a catalyst for training and employment for the town. The Pod will give us the space to do that and to help push forward the plans to fill Bishop Auckland’s empty shops with viable businesses and return the town to the vibrant place I remember it being as a boy.”