PEOPLE running small businesses in Oxfordshire can find out more about the support available at an advice day being held next week at Oxford Town Hall.

Anyone running a small business will be able to get free advice and information from agencies and Government bodies for small businesses at the event, which runs from 2.30pm to 9pm on February 17.

There will be exhibitions by local business advice and support agencies, as well as council departments such as environmental health, trading standards and building control, and Government departments and agencies, including the Inland Revenue, Employment Service and the Valuation Office.

Seminars will be held throughout the day on taxation, e-commerce, legal issues and information for businesses.

Businesses can also benefit from more in-depth discussions with experts on issues affecting small business, through 'one-to-one' advice surgeries.

Brian Spragg, Oxford City Council's economic development officer, said: "This event will provide a great opportunity for local businesses to discover the excellent support and advice available to them in Oxford and, because it will run through the afternoon and evening, everyone running small businesses has the chance to attend."

The event, hosted by Oxford City Council, will be opened by Oxford East MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Smith, and by his wife, the Lord Mayor, Val Smith.

Other speakers include Thomas Harding, of Oxford Channel and Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Organisations taking part include Business Link Heart of England and Thames Business Advice Centre, the Federation of Small Businesses, Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Co-operative Development Agency and the Ethnic Minority Business Service.

Story date: Thursday 10 February

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