Advice Week geared to support small businesses

Hundreds of small businesses across Wales are being encouraged to take advantage of free one-to-one business advice sessions taking place later this month during Business Advice Week.

A marketing campaign by the Welsh Government gets underway this week highlighting the event that runs from November 28 – December 2 at the twelve Regional Centres.

Business Advice Week is specifically geared to help small businesses that have been trading for more than a year and employ up to 25 people – the aim is to deliver 80 advice sessions a day across the regional centres.

The campaign is also designed to raise awareness of the raft of specialised advice and support available to small businesses and that help is only a telephone call away through the Business Information Hotline 03000 60 3000.

During the week teams of business advisors will be on hand in the twelve locations to meet business owners and managers in confidential, face-to-face meetings designed to diagnose their business needs and ensure they access the appropriate support and advice available to help their future needs.

In order to avoid disappointment businesses are advised to pre-book appointments now by telephoning the hotline.

Business Minister Edwina Hart said the Welsh Government is committed to provide the support business needs for sustainable growth.

“These are challenging times for businesses and I hope many take advantage of the help and advice that is freely available and use this opportunity to tap into a range of support services. The campaign will not only raise awareness of the support available, especially through the Regional Centre Service, but also help widen our reach to businesses across Wales.”

The Welsh Government’s Regional Centre Service has twelve offices across Wales in Bangor, Llandudno Junction, Wrexham, Newtown, Aberystwyth, Brecon, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.