Businesses exhibit together to defy credit crunch

Date published: 10 May 2009

COMPANIES in Rossendale are defying the credit crunch by taking part in a major exhibition to boost trade.

Everything from top quality preserves, saspirella and party balloons, to how to make your car more efficient and the best in IT and marketing support will be accessible under one roof at the Valley at Work Exhibition.

Business networking group Valley at Work, in association with askrossendale.co.uk and PEER, has organised the exhibition at Bacup Leisure Hall on Wednesday 13 May.. With top class sponsorship from Business Link, Kingfisher Consultants, Jack Ross Accountants, Rossendale Borough Council and Talking Shop, every trade stand has been filled,

From 9.30am to 6pm, new and established businesses along with the general public are invited to drop in and see what exhibitors are offering and pick up some bargains in the process. It’s all free and should be fun and informative too.

Andy MacNae, facilitator for business support group PEER – People Encouraging Enterprise in Rossendale, said: “This exhibition will give local businesses the best chance to beat the credit crunch, make new contacts, source new customers and showcase what their company has to offer.
“Exhibitors range from a local gym and business advisors, to top marketing design teams and financial advisors. There will also be people looking to invest in local companies.

“But it is not just for other businesses, this exhibition is also for residents too because many Stands will have promotional goods to give away and competitions to enter as well as offering goods and services for sale. For example REAL will be offering a month’s free book keeping, Hygiene Express a free printer, Party Balloons will have balloons to give away and most exhibitors have discount offers”

As well as visiting exhibitors Entrepreneurs can receive free guidance through a series of panel sessions with experts. Three specialist sessions will be held: At 11.00am the Business Finance panel will be offering financial help both on a personal and business level. At 1pm, Business Support will discussed by PEER, Kingfisher Consultants, Rossendale Council and Business Link and at 5pm officers from Rossendale Council will explain opportunities for businesses to work in partnership with the council.

All panel sessions will have a 10-minute introduction followed by a question and answer session and one-to-one meetings afterwards, if required.

Then there will be ’10 minute’ Workshops running throughout the day, talking about things like massage machines, internet advertising, and business accounting,

And when your feet are aching and your throat is dry, Do-Dah’s Café is there to treat you to a variety of hot and cold snacks, or you can sample an ice-cold cordial from Mr Fitzpatricks!

Andy said he hoped the business would become an annual event to put the Valley on the map for many years to come. “We want people to see the wide variety of businesses we have in Rossendale. One of this area’s greatest assets is the enthusiasm and zeal people have and the range of entrepreneurs who have set up new and original businesses.”

For more details visit www.valleyatworkexhibition.co.uk