BUSINESSES in the Cambourne and Papworth areas can get free advice on surviving recession at a seminar on July 1. South Cambridgeshire District Council is funding a Ride the Recession event, in association with Business Link, at the Imperial War Museum

BUSINESSES in the Cambourne and Papworth areas can get free advice on surviving recession at a seminar on July 1.

South Cambridgeshire District Council is funding a 'Ride the Recession' event, in association with Business Link, at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, to give local businesses practical advice and support on how to survive the economic downturn.

Terry Holloway, group support executive for the Marshall Group of Companies, will provide an insight into the sound business practices that have seen Marshalls thrive over the last 100 years.

Matthew Peek of Barclays Corporate will reassure businesses that banks are still lending despite the 'crunch' and will offer his views on the economic climate from a banking perspective.

A practical workshop on surviving and thriving in difficult times will be run by Bev and Jasper Gilder, expert trainers and consultants for Business Link. They will address topics including marketing, liquidity, people and innovation.

Anne Miller, director of The Creativity Partnership and author of 'How to get your ideas adopted (and change the world)', will summarise the day's discussions, before a question and answer session with the day's presenters closes the event.

Key SCDC partner organisations offering advice at the event's exhibition will include Business Link East, East of England Development Agency, East of England International, HM Revenue & Customs, the Federation of Small Businesses, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridgeshire Slivers of Time and the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce.

Councillor Nick Wright, SCDC portfolio holder for economic development, said: "I hope businesses will see this event as an opportunity to seek the advice they need and to hear ideas about how they can review their own strategies to ensure they can successfully ride out this recession."

INFORMATION: From SCDC's economic development officer Nicole Kritzinger on 03450 450 500 or economicdevelopment@scambs.gov.uk. To book a place call Business Link's events booking team on 0845 601 1000 or visit www.bookevents.org