Free advice over a cuppa

Oct 23 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal

CAFE Enterprise is taking to the road to offer free advice to people considering working for themselves.

Business start-up specialists The Enterprise Group are holding sessions in Sedgefield this week, giving people the opportunity to ask questions and take their business ideas forward over a coffee in an informal and relaxed atmosphere.

Over the next two months the Enterprise Group will then take Cafe Enterprise to Murton and Bishop Auckland.

Enterprise Group co-ordinator Mick Wood said: “Cafe Enterprise is about going out into the community and meeting people in their own environment rather than expecting them to travel to some business centre.

“Anyone who wants to work for themselves is welcome to come along and hear how much help we can give them – all of which is completely free.

“Ours is a no nonsense approach to setting up in business. We give practical advice on how to win customers, how to market the business, how to run a business and we provide on-going support.”

Mr Wood added: “We have timed the Cafe Enterprise opening hours to fit in with people’s busy lives. They can come along after work or on an evening or they can come along on a Saturday. If anyone can’t make Stanley, they can pop along to any of the other events across the county.”

The Enterprise Group was launched out of a belief that a direct hands-on approach was needed to foster and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in County Durham. The group draws from specialist professionals as diverse as solicitors, accountants, marketing specialists, website experts, community and social enterprise specialists.

Anyone looking for business start-up help or advice can contact The Enterprise Group on the dedicated hotline 0845 630 0 620 to arrange a coffee at Cafe Enterprise.

Cafe Enterprise will be at:

The Glebe Centre, Murton.

Wednesday, October 24, from 6pm to 8pm.

Salters House, Salters lane, Sedgefield.

Saturday, November 3, from10am to 12pm.

Wednesday, November 14, from 6pm to 8pm.

Call 0845 630 0620 to book a free place.