Business News

Poulton Business Forum

Poulton Business Forum is a local monthly “club” for business owners and the self-employed in the area.

Attendance at the Business Forum is free and will provide you with an excellent opportunity to discuss local and national business issues with other local business people. Networking can also often lead to new business opportunities. We do hope that you will join us at one of our evenings this Spring. Just turn up at the next meeting and say “Hello”.

Spring 2006 Programme

FEBRUARY: Wednesday 1st February.

6.30pm for 7pm

The New Midland Hotel And Morecambe

Paul Jones, Urban Splash

Venue: The Crescent Coffee Lounge,

260 Marine Rd.

Paul is the Project Manager at the Midland Hotel. He will be updating us on the progress of the refurbishment of the hotel and on the wider implications of the project on Morecambe’s future.

Wednesday 22nd February.

6.30pm

Joint Promotion Activities

Venue: The BEST Centre,

Euston Road

For the last 2 years several local businesses have joined together to produce joint advertising in “out of area” newspapers. Plans for a “Shop Local” campaign and a local “Loyalty Card” were also discussed but not taken forward.

This meeting will be an opportunity to air ideas and make plans for further joint local action to attract more customers to the area this year.

BOOKING REQUESTED � please call 831721.

MARCH: Wednesday 1st March.

6.30pm for 7pm

Successful Selling On The Internet

- Ian Bowman, Search First Direct

Venue: The Eidsforth Hotel

317 Marine Rd.

Sales via the internet are growing faster than ever and our meeting last year on this topic was extremely popular. This year we are pleased to welcome a local web design company who specialise in getting websites to appear at the top of search engine lists. If you already have a website

and want it to be more effective - or if you think your business could benefit from one, don’t miss this meeting!

Tuesday 7th March.

6.30pm for 7pm

Complying With The Disability Discrimination Act

Rob Bracewell, Access Office (City Council)

Venue: The BEST Centre, Euston Road

It is vitally important that businesses, especially shops, can demonstrate that they are familiar with the Act and have taken steps to consider access requirements for people with disabilities. This workshop will tell you about the Act and what you need to do to comply. All attendees will receive a certificate to verify their attendance at the workshop.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL.  Call: 831721. (A small charge of £5 may be applied to cover costs)

Help For Local Businesses

There is a full time Business Adviser at the BEST Centre offering a wide range of assistance to new, prospective and existing businesses in the area.

Examples of help available include:

• Free advice on any issue about starting or expanding a business: e.g. finance, marketing, tax issues, bookkeeping, recruitment and training.
• Information on free and paid for courses available locally for business owners, and on training for staff.

Learndirect

The BEST Centre is now a Learndirect Centre. This means you and your employees have access to a huge range of self-study and online courses on your doorstep. There is a large selection of business and management topics available as well as computer and ‘Skills for Life’ courses. Many of the courses can provide formal certificated qualifications.

Getting In Touch

To access help or to find out more about the Business Forum or Learndirect just phone, email, or call in person at the BEST Centre and ask for the Business Adviser.

The BEST Centre

85-7 Euston Road

Morecambe LA4 5JY