Organised by Enterprise Hub, the planning and marketing course will give Halton residents who are thinking about starting a business invaluable help and support.

Aspiring Halton entrepreneurs are being offered free places on a two-day Start Your Business course later this month.

Organised by Liverpool city region’s Enterprise Hub programme, the planning and marketing course will give Halton residents who are thinking about starting a business invaluable help and support.

Taking place across two days on Thursday and Friday, November 21 and 22 at Halton Lea Library in Runcorn, the course is fully-funded for Halton residents under the Enterprise Hub programme.

Enterprise Hub is Liverpool city region’s ‘one front door’ access point for business support, offering clients a programme of one-to-one business support and advice, as well as access to training courses to help develop their ideas and learn core business skills.

Attendees will learn core business skills, including how and when to conduct market research, understanding their customers and competitors, as well as how to develop a marketing strategy and understanding which social media platforms work best for their business.

Important aspects of business finance will also be covered, including what options there are for raising all-important start-up finance and understanding sales and cash flow forecasting.

The training will be delivered by a business expert from Liverpool-based social enterprise, The Women’s Organisation, which is the lead and accountable body of the Enterprise Hub programme.

Jackie Williams, Enterprise Hub project manager and enterprise director at The Women’s Organisation, said: “The thought of setting up a business can be frightening, whether it is worrying about tax and finances or the daunting task of writing a business plan.

“That’s why we are delighted to be bringing Enterprise Hub support straight to the Halton community, giving local people that all-important helping hand and confidence boost to pursue a business dream.”

Eligibility criteria does apply and the training is open to men and women living in the Halton area, who are currently employed, unemployed or economically inactive and have not yet registered with Companies House or HMRC.

Booking for the training is essential and those wanting to attend should get in touch with the Enterprise Hub team by calling 0151 706 8113 or e-mailing enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk to confirm their place.