CHANNEL Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Folkestone-based business training consultancy International Quality Management to offer a series of subsidised one-day workshops to help local small businesses develop more effective business and training plans.

The workshops are designed for owners and senior managers of companies that employ five or more people and will be held over the next three months. Each one will give participants practical advice on how to develop a business plan showing where they are now, where they want to be, and how to get there.

Help to create an effective training plan is also provided that will support the business plan and give guidance on generous training grants.

Dawn Hudd, Channel Chamber of Commerce’s business support manager, said: "These great-value workshops are going to very popular amongst many small businesses in the area and I would urge everyone to book soon and see for themselves how they can benefit from such a small investment.”

All workshops will be held at the Shepway Business Centre and cost £45 + VAT per person.