Business market proves a huge success

Organisers said the seventh annual event was fully booked with 156 exhibitors and will consider looking for new premises next year to cope with the increasing demand.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, opened proceedings at 11am, telling guests: “This is one of the major business events in Yorkshire. And it is going from strength to strength. This year, more space has been taken than before.”

Exhibitors included Auditel, the outsourcing firm, which helps SMEs and charities save money on purchasing.

David Milnes, divisional director, said: “A lot of businesses are under pressure from overheads. They can’t put up their prices because of increased competition so the best way is to better manage their cost base.”

Another was Haywood, a third-generation, family-owned workwear firm from Leeds, which supplies mainly to the removals and transport industry.

Maryse Haywood, the business development manager and managing director’s wife, said the company had a good year in 2010 but “it’s been tough, there’s no getting away from that”.

Also hoping to win new business was Alexika, headed by Mark Robinson, who set up the Ilkley-based translation services firm with his German wife 12 years ago.

They offer technical and legal translations and have recently hired a multi-lingual graduate recruit and say that exporting companies are more likely to win contracts abroad if they pay for good quality interpreting work.

Meanwhile, Dave Roberts, centre manager at UTN Training of Wakefield, wanted to raise the profile of his health and safety firm, which is one of the biggest in the north of England.

“We came last year and had a good response. It’s good to get out and meet people,” he said.

Toastmasters International, the American-founded educational organisation, was offering to help business people improve their communication and public speaking skills.

Phil Heath, the divisional governor, said: “You can learn how to speak in a fun environment. You can fail without fear.”

Brian Dunsby, the organiser and chief executive of the local chamber, said the event went extremely well.

Wallace Sampson, CEO of the town council, said: “It’s not what Harrogate has to offer Harrogate –- it’s what Harrogate has to offer the region as well.”