CHESHIRE West and Chester Council’s external funding and partnerships team hosted a free business event at Chester Racecourse in association with Cheshire East and Warrington councils.

The event offered local business owners and entrepreneurs advice on accessing funding and growing their companies. It featured showcases of inspiring activity and interactive workshops.

Fund managers from The North West Fund, which has £170m of funding available to support growing, small and medium-sized businesses, were joined by the Access to Finance representatives to offer advice and answer any funding or general support queries.

Cllr Herbert Manley, executive member for prosperity, said: “I was invited to introduce the evening and was impressed by the overall quality of the event.

“There were a large number of local businesses there to find out about, and be involved in, future plans for Cheshire.

“I believe this event will help and hopefully inspire our businesses to grow and prosper and increase the region’s involvement in securing European funding.”

Jim Crook, Cheshire Growth Hub, Jim Keane, Growth Accelerator Programme and James Clipson from the Technology Strategy Board answered questions relating to growth businesses and advising on how they could attract the funding they require.