MEMBERS of Witney’s Big Breakfast Club held a special meeting to promote a business support fair taking place next week.

They gathered at the Witney Business & Innovation Centre, at the Windrush Industrial Park, where the fair will be held with the support of West Oxfordshire District Council.

The event will offer advice to people running or looking to start a new business, on topics including everything from business planning, finance and regulation through to broadband services, energy-saving, grants, employment issues and apprenticeships.

Innovation centre director Margaret Hewitt said: “The event has been created to offer free access to a host of experts who can share invaluable knowledge that will help to alleviate some of the challenges presented by running or starting up a business.”

The breakfast club meeting heard about the key role small businesses play in the UK economy from Chris Allington, managing director of Oxford Innovation, which supports the centre, which opened last November.

He said: “Small businesses represent approximately 50 per cent of UK business turnover and employ more than 13 million staff collectively.

“To succeed in business, owners need to be equipped with the right kind of information and that’s how we can help.”

The business support fair is on Tuesday, from 4.30pm to 7pm.

There is no need to book and car parking is available at the business park, which is off Burford Road.

For more information, see witney-bic.co.uk/business-fair or call 01993 848200