Meet the women-led Leeds businesses bringing Mabgate Mills to life - as they mark International Women's Day
Mabgate Mills is a hub of creativity, opportunity and community.
From a roller skate shop to a clothing rental brand to a dance studio, the former textile mill in Leeds is filled with women-led businesses making an impact.
This week, to mark International Women’s Day, these businesses gathered together to celebrate each other’s achievements and discuss how they can further grow.
Fling, a fashion rental service, is one of the newest companies in Mabgate Mills, having opened its showroom just last October. Founder Chloé Mead describes her brand’s mission as a way to uplift women.
Chloé told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I’ve got loads of different dresses, all different styles, all different sizes, and for all different ages of women.
“A big USP of Fling is having fun with fashion again.
“Women come into our store and wear dresses they wouldn’t usually wear.”
Chloé sees Mabgate Mills as a hidden gem of Leeds that not enough people know about.
Chloé added: “I’d love to have more signage on that outside of the building that made it easy to navigate because when you dig around
“It’s such a community, it’s a vibe.”
Across from Fling is another woman-owned business which has inclusivity at the forefront of its ethos: The Dance Studio.
Founded by Katie Geddes, The Dance Studio offers classes in a range of dance styles, including ballet, hip hop, and afro fusion.
The business has been in Mabgate Mills for 17 years, and over that time, Katie believes investment is leading more people to the area.
“We’ve been here seventeen years and there has been a lot of investment on Mabgate Road itself,” she said.
“There’s loads more lighting and the new student area, so it’s becoming a more invested in area, which I think is attractive for businesses.
“People probably thought this area was quite a long way away from the city centre, but because that’s been developed you can now say it's an eight-minute walk from John Lewis. It’s really accessible.”
Next door to The Dance Studio is The Skate Sanctuary, another studio for a different kind of sport: roller-skating. Founded by Melissa Blackwood, the roller skate shop and studio moved to Mabgate Mills from the Corn Exchange two years ago.
Her brand’s mission is to create a positive atmosphere which welcomes anyone who walks through the doors. Melissa believes these values align with her neighbouring businesses.
Melissa said: “We want to create a space that people can build confidence and thrive.
“At its core that’s what a lot of other businesses here are also trying to do. That’s what makes this the right place for us”
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Give to Gain’ to encourage generosity and collaboration.
However, Mabgate Mills is already a space of businesses uplifting each other by working together.
Fling, The Dance Studio, and The Skate Sanctuary, alongside fellow businesses such as career coaching charity Smart Works, and café The Wren Bakery, regularly look out for each other and share advice, support, and friendship.
The women-led businesses in this area want to do even more together to bring more visibility to Mabgate Mills and the creativity within it.
Melissa said: “There’s always more you can do but we’re at capacity at the moment so it’s kind of how do we work together in a way that’s meaningful, useful, and doesn’t make the load fall on just one person?
“I believe we have to be the change. If you don’t believe in your local area, what’s the point?”