SMALL firms are being encouraged to overcome a fear of university to tap experts at a business-boosting enterprise centre.

The Federation of Small Business (FSB) has teamed up with Canterbury Christ Church University to give its 6,000 Kent members easy access to lecturers at Hall Place Enterprise Centre in Harbledown, near Canterbury.

The multi-million pound centre was officially opened last week by Allan Willett, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent.

It aims to help firms of all sizes, but especially small ones, to prosper and grow for the benefit of the Kent economy.

Professor Janet Druker, pro vice chancellor (Knowledge Transfer), said a Memorandum of Understanding between the university and the FSB would build the capability of small business to offer more opportunities.

Many staff at Hall Place had business experience and were well qualified to help entrepreneurs.

"We understand where they are coming from," she said.

Roger House, Kent FSB chairman, joined the opening celebrations. He admitted that many small business people had a fear of university.

He said: "We want to break down that fear. These places have got knowledge and opportunities for people to come and learn from them.

"Our members’ profits are eroding all the time so if we can find better ways of working, we can redress the balance."

Prof Michael Wright, university vice-chancellor, wanted to dispel the myth that there was nothing for small business in a university. It was a conduit to marvellous things.

"We can do a lot of things for small business in terms of providing a forum to meet and the expertise which is available," he said.

Mr Willett hailed the new facility as a hub for business development and growth and catalyst for tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. It would provide an unparalleled opportunity for business to network and to access the expertise available from the university.

He told university chiefs: "I applaud what you are doing for sustainable business development."