A UK retailer is putting its full weight behind the StartUp Britain campaign in an effort to create a 500,000-strong army of entrepreneurs to help get the economy moving.

Staples will host weekly classes in its 138 stores for those who want to become their own boss – giving over prime retail space on a Saturday morning.

Start Up Saturday will run for 12 weeks, covering everything from discovering your big idea right through to finance and marketing on a shoestring.

Staples Managing Director Andrew Gabriel said: “The StartUp Britain Campaign has gathered momentum and really inspired people to think about launching their own venture. But we want to help them do more than think about it and believe StartUp Saturday can play a key role in turning great ideas into real businesses.

“Hopefully by holding the sessions in our stores we will break down the barriers to classroom learning and people of all ages will feel comfortable in signing up.”

Start up Saturday, which is being run by the small business support company Enterprise Nation and training providers CragRats, will be launched in seven stores on May 21, before being rolled out across the country from June.

Each session will be from 9.30am to 10.30am and students will be given a comprehensive workbook, which will include advice, case studies, useful links and tips. Individual classes cost just £10 and the full 12-week course is £100. Book classes and view topics at http://www.startupsaturday.com.

You can also buy the Start up Saturday Workbook, and go through the exercises at home

Emma Jones, of Enterprise Nation and one of the founders of StartUp Britain, said: “There’s no time like the present to start a business. We know there’s a wealth of talent out there and that all people need is a kick start, which is what this initiative is all about. The course will be fun and hopefully lead to financial reward and a flexible working life.”

For more information, please visit the StartUp Saturday website of Follow on Twitter @SUpSaturday

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