Places filling up for Darlington's first virtual Business Week

Places starting to fill up on Darlington's first ever virtual Business Week as it gets set to open on Monday 5 October. More than fifteen online workshops seminars and events are available during the Week which takes place from Monday 5 until Friday 9 October.

Businesses, or those interested in starting their own business, can take part in the sessions from the comfort of their own home, workplace or wherever they choose to join in online.

Now in its fourth year, Darlington Business Week aims to support local businesses. The Week will be launched with an overview of the local and regional economy and will feature a keynote speech by Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen.

In addition, the first ever virtual jobs and information fair will be hosted on the invest in Darlington Facebook page on Thursday 8 October from 11am-3pm. Online visitors to the event can browse vacancies as well as training and volunteering opportunities in the area.

Darlington Borough Council’s business investment team has brought together a wide range of local companies, partners and business support organisations to deliver the timetable of events, all hosted online.

The free sessions will help local businesses build resilience, help recovery, learn how to diversify and grasp new opportunities, including exporting, and engage with new and existing customers. In addition, there will be dedicated support sessions and help and advice for those wishing to start their own business.

To address current trading issues, there will be specialist support workshops from Save the High Street and Business Doctors to help those sectors hardest hit by the pandemic – retail, leisure and hospitality. Businesses taking part will also have the chance to learn more about working digitally, building a brand and customer loyalty, and how to access financial support.

Darlington Borough Council’s Environmental Health team will deliver advice on trading in a Covid safe way and there will be a workshop on doing business with the public sector.

There will also be updates on developments around human resources and health and safety. The Week will bring together professional skills and experience from local companies as well as the Tees Valley Combined Authority, TEDCO, and NEPO.

Councillor Alan Marshall, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said:

“There is still time to book on one or more sessions although I would advise people to act quickly.

“The Week provides a unique opportunity to take part in free online workshops with industry experts from wherever you choose, making it even easier to get involved.

“The Covid pandemic has presented extreme challenges to many businesses and these sessions will help them to find a way through these difficult times, look at different ways of working and to thrive and survive into the future.

“There is a lot of help and support out there and Business Week will be a fantastic opportunity to find out where to find it.

“I urge all local businesses of any size to look at what’s on offer. The events are free, online and very relevant to many business areas.”

For more details and how to book visit www.investindarlington.co.uk/events

The Council’s business investment team is available throughout the year and offers support and advice for local business or those who are considering investing in the borough. They can be contacted by phone on 01325 406305 or email at: investindarlington@darlington.gov.uk