A NEW business forum is set to provide companies in Ellesmere Port with an important gateway to access a range of up-to-the-minute information, news feeds, events, exhibitions, and networking opportunities from local, regional and national sources.

The Wirral Business Forum was launched to inform businesses about the opportunities that exist on their doorstep.

The forum adopts a cluster-based approach and will give businesses the opportunity to discuss borough-wide issues and developments with key decision makers from the local authority.

Steve Maddox, chief executive of Wirral Council, said: “The Wirral Business Forum is an opportunity for us as a council to consult with businesses and learn how we can engage better with the business community.”

The cluster groups are construction; digital and creative industries; financial, professional and business services; manufacturing, food and drink; maritime and logistics; partner organisations; science; technology; environment and health; tourism and retail. Each cluster will have its own relationship manager from Invest Wirral along with a chairman and vice-chairman whose expertise is drawn from that specific cluster.

An online business network has also been created at www.businesswirral.com which is free to any business trading in the borough and is a quick and easy way to communicate with other Wirral companies.

To sign up, visit www.businesswirral.com and complete the simple registration process.