Vital support for Hartlepool businesses will be offered at a new and free event

A free event called the Hartlepool Business Growth Surgery is being planned at the Maritime Experience to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access expert support through short, one-to-one sessions.

Organisers have described it as support for companies “with the right level of ambition, capability and capacity to improve and grow.”

The surgery runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Thursday, June 9 at the venue in Jackson Dock.

Businesses can get help in areas which will include;

l funding opportunities and financial advice.

l improving current business technologies.

l apprenticeships and skills training to take your business forward.

l supply chain development.

l how to win business in the public sector.

l exporting.

l coaching and mentoring for business owners.

And to give firms a helping hand, individual sessions are available with business experts.

Organisations which will be there to give valuable advice include the BE Group, Five Lamps, Materials Processing Institute (MPI), the North East Chamber of Commerce, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Regeneration Team, and Hartlepool College of Further Education.

Also there to give support will be delegates from TEDCO, Tees Valley Business Compass, Teesside University, UK Steel Enterprise and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

Surgery appointments will be available with representatives of all of the above companies.

One-to-one sessions which last for 30 minutes are on offer to businesses.

The event is being offered as part of the Business Compass Growth Service.

Multiple appointments can be arranged for eligible businesses.

And surgery organisers say appointments may be available on the day on a drop-in basis.

For more information on the surgery, visit https://www.investinhartlepool.co.uk/news/sme-business-growth-surgery-hartlepool.html