BRAINTREE Council has kick-started the New Year with a series of free workshops in support of local businesses.

The Plaza, the new centre for enterprise and innovation in Great Notley, held the first in a series of workshops last week.

Small businesses joined organisers for a session on trading in the cost-of-living crisis.

The first workshop dealt with the issues around the cost-of-living crisis and explored strategies for growth and ways in which businesses can access new markets, develop product families and control cashflow.

Businesses also used the opportunity to network and socialise.

The workshop was arranged and run by Graham Broughton from The Consortium.

Mr Broughton is a business expert who works exclusively with established small businesses, start-ups and sole traders.

He said: "We were delighted to collaborate with the council on this exclusive workshop. Our workshops tackle the everyday issues that businesses face.

“We have worked with hundreds of Essex businesses and have recently designed several impactful workshops which combine expert advice and tactical tools, together with real case study examples.”

Braintree Council economic growth boss Tom Cunningham added: “We used the feedback from a recent survey to establish the topics and what we should focus on for these workshops.

“We believe the sessions will support small businesses with their ambitions and plans as well as encourage growth and improve prosperity.

“The Plaza is a great venue for the sharing and learning of ideas.”

For more about the next workshop, visit braintree.gov.uk/workshops.