Budding entrepreneurs and small firm owners from a military background looking to kick-start or grow their business are being encouraged to attend a free event in Swindon.
Experts from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and X Forces, which provides business support for ex-service personnel, will stage talks and workshops at the event at Spring Gardens House, Princes Street, on March 25 between 4.30 pm and 6.30pm. 
The free advice sessions will give tips for starting and building up a business, including details on the support available, ways to access finance and how to get free or low cost office space and meeting rooms via the Government Space for Growth scheme.
X-Forces CEO Ren Kapur said: “Access to the Swindon Job Centre will allow start-ups to grow and establish themselves with a network of support behind them.
“Appropriate and affordable workspace can be a significant hurdle for new businesses. By releasing this space to X-Forces and our entrepreneurs we can provide enhanced support to new and future businesses in the Swindon area.”
Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Council cabinet member for economy, regeneration and skills added: “Enterprise and entrepreneurial activity are at the core of Swindon’s economy and we welcome the prospect of more people starting out on this journey.
“By providing the Space for Growth area, JobCentre Plus is helping Swindon people to grow sustainable businesses and to enable new entrepreneurs to start developing their ideas. We are delighted that X-Forces are to manage the Space for Growth as we value our link with the military, both in service and leavers.”
The Enterprise Network manager Kate Forrest said her organisation was particularly keen to support military leavers and their dependents in Swindon and Wiltshire to take their first steps to becoming their own bosses.
“There is help and support every step of the way for anyone keen to do business, from the first light-bulb idea,” she said.
To reserve a free place sign up via http://tinyurl.com/m6kyej4 or call 0207 215 5167.
