Business market gears up for 11th edition

Described by organiser Brian Dunsby as “very much like a self-help group”, the one-day event, at the Pavilions of Harrogate, is a business-to-business networking extravaganza, with around 100 exhibitors attracting more than 1,000 visitors.

Entry is free, but not open to the general public; this is a trade-only event requiring online pre-registration. Mr Dunsby, chief executive of Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “Business isn’t only done online. A lot is done face to face and the Yorkshire Business Market is a good way of doing it.

“It helps small businesses to meet new customers and encourages visitors to open their own small businesses and improve their knowledge of what they do.”

Exhibitors confirmed so far include banks, car dealerships, hotels, printers, skincare brands, sign manufacturers, solicitors, telecommunications companies and even wine specialists.

This year’s event will also be lent some gravitas – and some TV stardust – by the presence of some VIPs.

Barry Dodd CBE, chairman of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, and now also the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, will open the event, and BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration MBE will also be in attendance, along with the mayors of Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough.

The event is to be held on April 27 from 10am to 4.30pm. So far, 80 per cent of the available exhibition space at YBM has now been booked, but there are still stands of all sizes available.

For more information, visit www.yorkshirebusinessmarket.org or call 01423 879208.