Google will launch its first 'digital garage', a multi-million pound project to help 200,000 small businesses in the UK get more digital skills, at the end of March.
The pop-up site is part of a wider 2016 commitment by the internet company, to train one million Europeans in coding and how to use the internet for business.
The project will expand to four other UK cities, although Google has not announced where it will open next.Eileen Naughton, Google’s UK and Ireland boss, said that while the majority of UK small businesses recognise the importance of having a website and using basic digital tools, less than 30 per cent of SMEs have an effective online presence. “We want to help jumpstart the other 70 per cent, Naughton said.
Aspiring entrepreneurs are also encouraged to attend for mentoring sessions on digital business skills.
The first garage, in Leeds opens its doors on 30 March with a digital "tune-up" event for local businesses, and will then run for a six month trial period.
Businesses can register here
Receive the Funding Newswire [full access requires a subscription] each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.
