SME in Brief: First business forums launch in Harrogate; Business leader invited to meet new IOD chairman and more
BUSINESSES in Harrogate are being offered the chance to help shape the future of their local area and drive economic growth and development.
The Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Harrogate Business Forum on January 21 aims to give the area’s business people the opportunity to raise awareness of the key issues affecting their business.
Chief executive Harrogate Borough Council Wallace Sampson will discuss the local economy and the future for Harrogate and its businesses.
Mr Sampson will also talk about the Council’s new economic vision for Harrogate which sets out short and long term objectives for the town based around key themes including infrastructure, skills and innovation.
The forum will be held between 4pm and 6pm at Evans Easy Space. To book a place email Hannah Bairstow at Hannah.bairstow@yourchamber.org.uk
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Fodder, the flagship food shop and cafe set up and championed by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, is celebrating a brisk Christmas trade in its first year.
The Harrogate-based shop is Britain’s first charity-run food hall and all profits from the shop are reinvested to benefit the rural community.
Latest figures show that just six months after opening it placed orders worth £179,000 with local food producers in the run up to Christmas.
Managing Director Heather Parry said: “Despite the credit crunch, demand for locally produced food is growing dramatically.
“The deeper economic upside of supporting local producers is the benefit to the rural economy. Money spent locally works a lot harder for the community and the profit from money spent at Fodder is directly re-invested in the charitable works of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.”
Eighty five per cent of the food sold and served by Fodder comes from Yorkshire. Over 180 local producers and farmers supply Fodder, offering a new route to market for the region’s farmers and producers.
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THE opportunity to meet the new chairman of the West Yorkshire branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD) is open to business leaders at a networking event next week.
Nigel Sikora, who took over the role in October, has organised the event to introduce his new committee, highlight the benefits of the business support organisation to potential members and engage with current IoD members to identify the type of events, guest speakers and subject matter they would like the West Yorkshire branch to deliver in 2010.
He said: “The West Yorkshire region has a dynamic and diverse business population and I feel the IoD has an important role to play in its continued growth by planning relevant events, acting as a national voice for members and helping to encourage Yorkshire businesses to support and trade with each other.
“I am looking forward to meeting with current and potential IoD members to hear their views in order to tailor our offer in 2010.”
The free event will take place at Oracle Bar on Wednesday January 13 between 5pm and 7pm. Email iod.yorkshire@iod.com or call 0113 243 0152 to book a place.
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KEIGHLEY-based MoneySolvers Complete Financial Solutions has launched a new service offering energy comparisons to find customers the best prices.
The service can be accessed online or through a free helpline and offers advice on the best deals available.
For further information visit www.moneysolvers.co.uk
