A DAY to promote the tremendous diversity and expertise of businesses in the Hatherleigh area takes place in the town this afternoon (Thursday, February 24). The business forum open day organised by the Hatherleigh Area Project will be held at Hatherleigh Cattle Market between 2 and 5pm today. Many local businesses will be taking part in the first open day to promote the businesses of the town and surrounding area. The day is the brainchild of Hatherleigh Business Forum, which was set up just over 12 months ago, as part of the Hatherleigh Area Project, to help to stimulate the economy of the area by creating a support and networking framework for local businesses. The forum aims to promote a greater awareness both locally and nationally of the tremendous diversity and expertise of businesses within Hatherleigh and the surrounding 12 parishes. Charles Chalcraft of the business forum said the group was putting together a local directory of businesses and services, and understand that there are between 600 and 800 businesses within the area. Mr Chalcraft said the more businesses that joined the forum the stronger the local economy would be in terms of qualifying for match funding grants to further promote local businesses. Mr Chalcraft said: ?The open day is quite a milestone in the project as there has never been anything on this scale which has brought all these businesses together before.? Among the business support organisations represented will be Business Link, the Federation of Small Businesses, Broadband 4 Devon, West Devon Business Information Point and South West Forest. The business support specialists and local organisations will be making short presentations in Old Schools from 2.30pm. The Business Open Day will be announced by Hatherleigh?s award winning town crier Roz Chard and officially opened by Mayoress Denise Herrod-Taylor. There may still be some free stands available for local businesses to showcase their goods and services. To check availability, contact the HAP Office on 01837 810239 or Charles Chalcraft on 01837 811278. Hatherleigh Area Project are hoping to build on their recent success in progressing some important developments for the quality of life of people in the area. The proposed Hatherleigh Community Centre has full planning permission and a considerable amount of funding. Resources have also been secured for a three year project to employ trained youth workers in Hatherleigh and the surrounding parishes.
