Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is hosting a free event for small business owners, aimed at helping them grow and flourish.

The event will provide a networking opportunity and a chance to hear from specialist speakers who can help small business owners succeed.

This will include talks on how owners can make their products and services more accessible online, how they can build ongoing resilience, and address challenges.

Information and tips will also be given on the contract opportunities available from SBC and how small business owners can secure tenders.

The event will take place between 10am and midday on Thursday, December 1, at the Business Technology Centre, Bessemer Drive, Stevenage. Free tickets are available online.

The timing of the event means it is being held two days before Small Business Saturday on Saturday, 3 December.

Councillor Lloyd Briscoe, executive member for economy, enterprise and transport, said: "We are delighted to be supporting the Small Business Saturday campaign this year with a business event at the council-owned, award winning, Business Technology Centre in support of our wider small business community.

"We recognise that small businesses are an integral part of the local and wider economy and would encourage everyone who can to continue to shop local and support these precious businesses who make a valuable contribution to our wider economy and our high streets too.

"With a continual changing economic and political market, working in partnerhip the council, alongside business support organisations are committed to ensure business owners are fully tapped into the full raft of specialised business support services that are on offer.

"We continue to ensure our businesses are fully equipped with the wider knowledge, intelligence and opportunities that are available to them, to help them grow and accelerate in these challenging economic times."