BUSINESSES have been pitching for workspace in Hiscox's new £19 million York offices after more than 250 people signed up for the insurance firm's Business Club.

Hiscox revealed plans for a Business Club at the Press Business Awards in November last year, offering office and meeting space in its new offices in Hungate to selected small businesses in the city.

Hosted in collaboration with Make it York and York St John University, and with support from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) the Business Club attracted applicants from more than 250 businesses.

Last week a shortlist of 40 business owners were invited to pitch for a place in a "Dragon's Den" style event.

Alan Millard, chief operating office Hiscox, said: "We want to try and create a business club, so even if businesses don't win office space here, they come to events here and network.

"People may wonder why we are doing this. We like to be a good business, and I think a good business is always part of the community. Through our Business Club we can give something back and be part of that community.

"This office is very open. We have deliberately designed it to be collaborative, and we want people to be involved in that.

"We want people that are ambitious, who believe in what they are doing, and want to be part of something bigger.

"This is not a business growth opportunity for us. This is a gift, and is about us being part of the community."

Business invited to pitch included voice coach and voice over provider Will Jenkyns Voices, a software designer for crowd funding platforms called White Label Crowdfunding, Duke of Edinburgh award provider Mid Yorks Expeditions, catering business Baba Ganoush, and graduate business Hello Hot Tubs, alongside a host of other businesses from a variety of industries.

Five panels were set up on the night for businesses to pitch to, with panelists made up of representatives from Hiscox, Make it York, York St John University, and the LEP.

LEP chairman Barry Dodd, said: "This was a fantastic event that showcased the raw talent and ambition in our area right now.

"The business club is a brilliant initiative and we are all very excited to see the results that these collaborations will bring."

Members of the Business Club will have access to desk space, meeting rooms with video-conferencing and projection facilities, wi-fi and printers, bike store and access to the Hiscox Art Café. They can also benefit from PR and marketing exposure via Hiscox and its partners. In addition, there will be opportunities to collaborate with Hiscox, network at exclusive Hiscox Business Club events, access business support services from Make It York and attend a range of other invite-only events in the city such as York St John University’s Business Masterclasses.

Successful applicants are due to be announced last this month.